Aston Villa XI vs Nottingham Forest: predicted lineup and team news

Aston Villa will look to respond immediately to their midweek setback when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Unai Emery facing several key selection calls as his side target an 11th successive home win.

Villa’s remarkable 11-match winning run came to an end at Arsenal on Tuesday night, marking their first defeat since early November. Despite that loss, the hosts remain firmly placed in the top five, helped by the fact that none of the chasing pack beneath them managed to win at home in midweek.

Emery will demand a reaction at Villa Park, where his side have been formidable. Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games against Nottingham Forest, winning the most recent five in a row. Their last home defeat to Forest dates back to October 1994.

Forest, however, have shown signs they can trouble Villa. They have won two of their last four league meetings with Emery’s side and have also enjoyed recent success away from home, including a surprise 3-0 win at Anfield in November. Sean Dyche’s men arrive under pressure, sitting just four points above the relegation zone after three consecutive league defeats.

Emiliano Martínez is expected to retain his place in goal, with Matty Cash returning to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension. His availability provides a timely boost, particularly with uncertainty still surrounding Pau Torres.

If Torres is unable to recover in time, Victor Lindelöf is set to continue alongside Ezri Konsa at centre-back. Ian Maatsen is also expected to come back into the lineup, offering balance on the left side of defence.

Boubacar Kamara is back from suspension and is expected to slot straight into midfield alongside Youri Tielemans. Amadou Onana’s injury, picked up early against Arsenal, leaves Emery short of options in that area, making Kamara’s return particularly significant.

Further forward, Morgan Rogers and John McGinn are likely to support Ollie Watkins, with Emery weighing up his options for the final attacking berth. Donyell Malen and Jadon Sancho are both pushing for starts and may be favoured over Emi Buendía, though the Argentine could still be handed a third consecutive start depending on Emery’s tactical approach.

Villa are expected to line up in a familiar 4-2-3-1 system, with Martínez in goal. Cash should return at right-back alongside Konsa and Lindelöf, with Maatsen on the left. Kamara and Tielemans are set to anchor midfield, while McGinn and Rogers support the attack. Buendía, Sancho or Malen will compete for the final creative role behind Watkins.

Aston Villa will be keen to reassert their home dominance and quickly put the Arsenal defeat behind them. With Nottingham Forest desperate for points, Emery’s selection choices — particularly in attack — could prove decisive in maintaining Villa’s strong league position.

Who should start behind Ollie Watkins against Forest — Malen, Sancho or Buendía?