Aston Villa are back at Villa Park after two away fixtures and take on Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest in game-week 31 of the Premier League. Here’s the latest heading into Saturday’s clash…
THE BUILD UP
Both teams have plenty to play for heading into the final nine fixtures of the season; Aston Villa are mounting a late charge for a European place, whilst Forest are hoping to avoid the drop.
Last time out for The Villans was a trip to Leicester to face a manager-less Foxes side. Unai Emery’s team were able to come away as 2-1 victors from the King Power, extending their unbeaten run on the road to six matches.
Ollie Watkins maintained his fine goal-scoring form away from home when opening the scoring in the 24th minute. The former Brentford man beat off two Leicester defenders before poking it past Daniel Iversen for his eleventh of the term. Harvey Barnes, as always, was the man to reply; the 25-year-old eased past Ashley Young after a fine ball over the top from Wout Faes, before firing past Emi Martinez for 1-1.
The away side were given an advantage in the 70th minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall received a second yellow-card for several challenges on Ashley Young. As a result, Emery made a host of changes in order to find a late goal and it was Bertrand Traore who would deliver after a defensive mishap from Wilfried Ndidi. The number nine sent a superb curling effort past The Foxes’ ‘keeper and into the back of the net in the 87th minute – his first Villa goal since May 2021.
As for Forest, they were on the opposite end of a 2-1 result last time out, as relegation-rivals Leeds United took all three points at a lively Elland Road. It was Forest who scored the game’s opening goal when Orel Mangala manoveured past Luis Sinisterra before placing the ball past Ivan Meslier and into the bottom corner.
The hosts wouldn’t take long to respond however, and it was Jack Harrison who fired home the rebound after Keylor Navas could only parry Marc Roca’s long-range strike. Sinisterra then found the next goal and what turned out to be the game-winner just before half-time. The Colombian winger outwitted full-back Neco Williams before sending a low-driven effort into the bottom corner. A decisive goal in what could be a decisive game at the bottom.
Last time Villa and Forest met, it finished one apiece at The City Ground. Emmanuel Dennis opened the scoring in the 15th minute, heading home Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick, before Ashley Young equalised minutes later with an excellent strike into the corner from range. Both teams will be looking to go one better this time around and take all three points – who will come out on top?
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Boubacar Kamara could return to the match-day squad for Aston Villa this weekend. The French midfielder missed the trip to Leicester on Tuesday night following his half-time substitution at Stamford Bridge the previous Saturday; a game that marked his return to action after a hamstring injury.
Many believe Kamara was brought back too early and Unai Emery will have a big decision on his hands on whether to include the former Marseille man for the big match at Villa Park this Saturday.
This week’s game is expected to come too soon for midfielder Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has not been spotted among training pictures in recent weeks, following an expected return date at the beginning of April. The former Barcelona and Liverpool man should be back later this month.
Elsewhere, former Forest man Matty Cash continues his recovery from the calf injury picked up during international duty with Poland – he also targets a return later this month – whilst goalkeeper Jed Steer remains unavailable.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
As for Forest, they could have as many as ten players absent for the upcoming fixture. Forward Emmanuel Dennis picked up a knock during the trip to Elland Road earlier this week and his availability will be decided by a late fitness test. Ryan Yates is also being closely monitored on his return from illness and a shoulder concern.
Midfielder Jesse Lingard has missed the last three Premier League fixtures due to injury, with head coach Steve Cooper confirming that the former Manchester United man has struggled with his Achilles in recent weeks. He is another that is touch-and-go for this weekend.
Serge Aurier is another that could return this week, whilst Willy Boly will remain side-lined with a hamstring injury picked up in the defeat to Fulham in mid-February. The former Wolves defender will be unavailable until at least the end of May.
Forward Chris Wood is out for the remainder of the season, having picked up a thigh injury whilst on international duty with New Zealand. The 31-year-old received surgery at the end of March and will not feature again for Forest until the start of next season.
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Elsewhere, Scott McKenna has returned to training and so could be involved this weekend, whilst loanee goalkeeper Dean Henderson is expected back next week. Giulian Biancone and Omar Richards are both absent through respective knee and lower leg-related long-term injuries.
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A BIT ON NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Nottingham Forest are one of many sides struggling this season in the Premier League and find themselves right amongst the relegation dogfight. As it stands, The Trees are 17th but level on points (27) with Bournemouth who occupy one of the three relegation places, alongside Leicester and Southampton.
They are however one of a select few sides in the bottom half of the table that have not sacked their manager. Despite frequent speculation regarding his future, Steve Cooper remains in charge and the Forest board continue to instil faith in the 43-year-old.
A recent statement from the board reads: “No one denies that our club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest.”
This season’s struggles have been pinned on the team’s poor form on the road. Cooper’s side have won just one game away from home all season (3D, 10L) and have scored just five goals, conceding a total of 34 on their travels.
Most of their points this term have arrived at The City Ground, with the 1979 & 1980 European Cup winners taking all three points at home on five separate occasions. Their last victory in the league was at the start of February against Leeds however, with the East-Midlands outfit finding themselves win-less in their last eight (3D, 5L).
Can Steve Cooper pull off a shock victory on the road and defeat Unai Emery’s in-form Aston Villa or will The Villans extend their unbeaten run to seven?
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PREDICTED LINE-UP
Let’s take a look at Liam’s predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture…
Do you agree? Who makes your side?
Have your own attempt by accessing the following link: https://utvpodcast.co.uk/line-up-selector/.
Remember to share your line-up across social media and let’s discuss!
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AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive Liam Davies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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