Aston Villa – Nottingham : Preview & Prediction
Aston Villa’s incredible resurgence under Unai Emery continued in midweek with a 2-1 win over Leicester, leaving the Villans six points off the top five in the table. That win extended the unbeaten run to six games (G5, E1), while only Arsenal have won more Premier League (PL) clashes since Emery’s arrival (AV: 10, ARS 13).
Villa were one point above the relegation zone when the Spaniard was appointed as the new manager, but after the win over Leicester he acknowledged that his side “have a chance to fight for the European places.” The incredible transformation in performance is based on a strong defense, conceding just two goals in their six-game unbeaten run, raising hopes of European qualification for the first time in over a decade.
Things are very different for visiting Nottingham Forest, who lost a clash worth six points in the fight to avoid relegation against Leeds on the final day, leaving them without a win in eight games (E3, P5). That dreadful recent performance has increased the pressure on manager Steve Cooper, but the Welshman insists he is not thinking about his own future, but “the greater good of the club.”
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis backed Cooper in a club statement after the defeat, but his position remains precarious with his side above the relegation zone only on goal difference. A trip to Villa Park therefore comes at an inopportune time as the Tricky Trees have the worst away record in the PL (G1, E3, P10), scoring just five away goals, while their only win came against basement side Southampton.
Players to watch: Villa’s leading scorer Ollie Watkins is having the form of his life, scoring eight goals in his last ten PL appearances, five of which came inside the first 25 minutes. If Forest finally start scoring goals on opposition soil, Morgan Gibbs-White is likely to be the architect, having created 54 scoring chances in the PL this season, only eight players add up to more.
Standout Fact: Aston Villa has scored nine goals in the first 15 minutes of PL home games this season, more than any other team in English soccer’s top flight.
Aston Villa – Nottingham : Betting Tips
Aston Villa – Win Odds: 1.65
