Aston Villa vs. Nottingham: Preview and betting tips

The rich Saturday football programme will offer, among other things, a confrontation between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. What to expect from the match of two teams in different mindsets and what to bet on?

Aston Villa, with 13 points from the last five games, returned to the cups, currently holding the seventh position. However, it cannot relax, it has a single point advantage over ninth-placed Brentford, while eighth-placed Liverpool has a game in hand.

Nottingham’s fortunes stopped after the World Cup in Qatar, they have only gained one point from the last four rounds. It has lost its comfortable cushion on the relegation zone, now in 17th place and only a better scoreline keeps it above Bournemouth.

Aston Villa’s key figures

The home side rely on goals from striker Ollie Watkins, he is currently on 12 shots and five assists. Central midfielder John McGinn is also thriving, the Scottish centre-half has been indispensable in the long term.

Nottingham’s key players

The visitors are led by young striker Brennan Johnson, the Welsh international has netted ten goals and assisted twice. Summer signing from Wolverhampton Morgan Gibbs-White has found the net twice and assisted five times.

What to expect and what to bet on?

Aston Villa’s defence, led by Emiliano Martinez, has been on fire since March, conceding only twice in their last six games. Unai Emery has ironically made the team’s weakness the biggest weapon.

Nottingham are the complete opposite. So far, they have not established a basic defensive front four, resulting in the second worst defence in the competition with 52 goals conceded. They have scored more than once in five of their last six games.

Given Aston Villa’s form, especially their defence, and given a leaky and sinking Nottingham, I think the Villans will win in front of a packed and well-functioning stadium.

Source: Premier League