Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest predictions: Villans to chop down Tricky Trees
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- Aston Villa are seventh just two points behind the top five
- Nottingham Forest are third in the table and only four points behind second-placed Arsenal
- Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win and both teams to score
Aston Villa will hope to move to within six points of Nottingham Forest when the two teams meet at Villa Park on Saturday evening in the Premier League.
Unai Emery's side outclassed Brighton on the south coast on Wednesday, winning 3-0 at the AMEX Stadium to move into seventh. Forest were also victorious in midweek, beating Manchester United 1-0 at the City Ground.
The two teams last met in December, with Forest running out 2-1 winners and Saturday's game promises to be another lively affair.
Team news
Villa midfielder Ross Barkley remains the club's only injury doubt due to a calf issue, while Ollie Watkins started Wednesday's game on the bench as he tries to return to full fitness.
With on-loan striker Marcus Rashford in fine form of late, Villa boss Unai Emery may stick with the same starting XI.
Forest striker Chris Wood is once again a doubt after missing Tuesday's win over the Red Devils with a hip injury.
However, midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White did recover from a knock to start in midweek.
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The stats
Villa have won six games in a row in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in five of those outings.
Emery's side have only lost one of their last 11 matches, while they are unbeaten in 16 games at home.
Forest are unbeaten in six contests in all competitions, including two penalty-shootout successes in the FA Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have the third-best record in the Premier League away from home, collecting 26 points in 15 away games.
Prediction
The result of Saturday's match could go a long way to deciding who qualifies for Europe next season and both teams will expect to be playing on the continent if they can maintain their recent form.
Without Wood Forest were expected to struggle, but the Tricky Trees have reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and beaten Manchester United in his absence.
Forest have done enough in their last two games, but they have only managed to just scrape home and, while that shows tremendous spirit and fight, they may need more against Villa.
Nuno's team have enough quality in midfield to find the back of the net, but Villa have won three games in a row 3-0 and their January business is starting to pay off with Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen and Rashford all starting to chip in.
The two teams should be equally matched throughout and it is Villa who gain have the upper hand in a huge game for both clubs.
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