Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa betting tips and predictions – Former European champs in showpiece semi final

Apr 30, 2026 - 06:30

Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa at the City Ground on Thursday night in a first leg of the crunch Europa League semi final clash.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa best bets

Tammy Abraham to score anytime – 15/8 with BOYLE Sports
Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist – 3/2 with Tote
Both teams to score – Yes – 8/11 with BOYLE Sports
Bet Builder; Abraham to score anytime, Gibbs-White score or assist, BTTS, Forest to win either half – 9/1 with Betfred

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa head to head overview

Date: Thursday 28 April 2026
Kick-off: 8pm
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham, UK
How to watch: TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, HBO Max
Referee: João Pinheiro
Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa (April 12th, 2026, PL)
Last 10 league matches: Nottm Forest – 2 wins; Aston Villa – 5 wins; Draws – 4
Favourite to win: Nottingham Forest – 29/20 with Tote

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa predicted lineups

Nottm Forest (4-3-1-2): Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Wood, Jesus

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa prediction

Both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are steeped in past European history having won the European Cup (Champions League) three times between them.

But this will be first time two British sides have met in the Europa League in front of crowds since the 2019 final between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Villa still haven’t confirmed Champions League football through the league, having gone down 1-0 to Fulham on Saturday.

While Forest will come bouncing into the game having thrashed Sunderland 5-0 last Friday night.

They are now unbeaten in their last eight games across all competitions (W5, D2) and will take on Villa on the back of a three-match winning streak.

However, getting the better of Villa will be a huge task for Forest, considering they’ve already failed to do so in two Premier League attempts this season (D1, L1).

They’ve also won just one of their last five meetings with Villa (D1, L3), so they’ll have to repeat that exceptional performance against Sunderland to stand any chance.

Villa also have another trump card up their sleeve. Unai Emery is the most successful manager in the history of the competition, winning the trophy four times (three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal).

In key injury news, Amadou Onana is a real doubt for the Villans having pulled up with a knee-injury in the build-up to the defeat against Fulham.

They will also be without midfielder Boubacar Kamara too.

Nottingham Forest’s Calum Hudson-Odoi is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. So boss Vitor Pereira will decide between Dan Ndoye or Omari Hutchinson to start the match.

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa tips

Tammy finds solution to Tricky Trees

Tammy Abraham may have spent a couple of seasons outside of England but he’s Forest’s biggest kryptonite.

The English forward has played against Forest five times in his career and scored five goals in that time. And only lost on one occasion when he’s found the back of the net against Villa’s next opponents.

Abraham has been restricted to just one Premier League start since joining in January. But does offer the option of a real dynamic shift if manager Unai Emery opts against fielding Ollie Watkins.

All Gibbs-White on the night

When Nottingham Forest needed a hero this season, Morgan Gibbs-White has masked up and saved the day.

The attacking midfielder has scored in the draw against Man City, the big win against Tottenham and a hat-trick against Burnley, when his side were 1-0 down and their backs against the wall.

He’s the man for the big occasion, and they don’t come much bigger than this under the lights on home soil.

Dirty laundry

Aston Villa have kept just one clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions. That included the 1-1 draw against Forest in the league just a few weeks ago.

Unai Emery’s side have a big match against Tottenham on Sunday night, so may shuffle the pack defensively which could stifle team chemistry.

Forest haven’t lost in eight matches but have been leaky at the back this season too.

With both sides scrapping for a first European cup final in a generation. Backing BTTS could well be the way to go.

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa latest odds

Find the latest Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa betting odds here, odds courtesy of Tote and are subject to change.

Nottm Forest – 29/20
Draw – 23/10
Aston Villa – 9/5

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Price Boosts

Aston Villa win and over 2.5 goals (was 11/4) NOW 3/1
Boyle Sports

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