Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 07.05.2026
The second leg of the Europa League semi-final features an all-English clash between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. The showdown will take place in Birmingham on Thursday, May 7, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 Central European Time. I'm tipping this match to deliver in terms of goals.
Match preview
Aston Villa are enjoying a vibrant season and remain one of the main contenders for European silverware. Under Unai Emery, the Villans cruised through the Europa League group stage and then navigated a couple of tough knockout rounds.
The Birmingham outfit have reached the semi-finals, showcasing consistency and a knack for stepping up in crunch time. Villa lost the first leg but have every chance of booking a spot in the final on home turf this Thursday.
In the Premier League, Villa are also riding high, competing for a Champions League berth, despite dropping a couple of recent games. This reflects the squad's overall progress, successfully juggling European commitments with a strong domestic campaign.
Notably, in the EPL, Villa fell 1-2 to Tottenham in a less-than-sparkling display, heavily rotating the squad ahead of their European tie. With three rounds to go, Aston Villa sit six points clear of Bournemouth in pursuit, and it looks likely they'll hold onto fifth place — and a Champions League ticket.
Nottingham Forest are also seen as a genuine threat in the hunt for continental glory. The team battled through a tough playoff run, including a dramatic penalty shootout win over Midtjylland, earning their place in the semi-finals.
This highlights Forest's character and resilience on the European stage, but domestically, the "Tricky Trees" have been fighting for Premier League survival under Pereira.
Recent results show the squad in solid working shape: on one hand, they've secured convincing wins, including a thumping 5-0 victory over Sunderland, and on the other, a gritty away performance at Chelsea, where a win all but guaranteed safety from relegation.
In the Europa League, Forest have been as disciplined as in the league, relying on a compact defense, deep blocks, and swift counterattacks. This approach saw them win the first leg and edge closer to the final.
Match facts
- Aston Villa have lost three matches in a row.
- Nottingham are unbeaten in 11 consecutive games.
- Aston Villa average 1.6 goals per home game, while Nottingham average 1.35 goals per away game.
Probable lineups
- Aston Villa: Martínez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Bogarde, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendía, Rogers, Watkins.
- Nottingham Forest: Ortega, Aina, Milenković, Morato, Williams, Domínguez, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Wood, Igor Jesus.
H2H
Nottingham have not won in Birmingham since way back in 1994.
Prediction
Aston Villa enter as slight favorites thanks to home advantage and a more balanced squad. However, Nottingham Forest are more than capable of putting up a fight, as they've already proven. Expect a cautious contest with little margin for error. Much will depend on how the first half unfolds: an early goal could significantly open up the game and change the initially cautious pattern of play. If the score remains level for a long time, the visitors will most likely focus on minimizing risks and adopt a highly pragmatic approach. The best bet looks like under 3 total goals.
