Third-placed Aston Villa will look to return to winning ways as they welcome relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest to Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.
After failing to win each of their opening five Premier League encounters this season, Unai Emery’s men went on to win 12 of their next 13 to propel themselves up into third position in the Premier League table.
However, the Midlands club were shot back down to earth in midweek, as they were thrashed 4-1 at the Emirates against Premier League leaders Arsenal, on an evening when I landed a trio of winners.
Nottingham Forest slipped to their third consecutive defeat in the Premier League last time out, as they were beaten 0-2 at home to manager Sean Dyche’s former club, Everton.
That result leaves the Tricky Trees in 17th position in the Premier League table, now just four points outside of the relegation zone.
How the bookies view it: Villa favourites
Aston Villa are expected to bounce back from their defeat in North London on Tuesday night, with bet365 pricing a home success at 4/5.
The same firm has Nottingham Forest at 7/2 to end their three-match winless run, whilst the draw is 27/10.
Head to head: Home a big advantage
Playing at home has proven to be a big advantage in recent meetings, with the home team winning each of the last five head-to-heads, with Aston Villa winning each of the past three at Villa Park.
Players to watch: Ollie to bag again?
Ollie Watkins’ late consolation at the Emirates on Tuesday night made it three goals in the space of three days following his brace at Stamford Bridge.
The England international has also found the back of the net in two of the previous three meetings between these two clubs at Villa Park, and I like the 11/8 on offer at bet365 for him to get on the scoresheet once again at home to Forest.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Aston Villa will be without the injured Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley, Evann Guessand is away to the Africa Cup of Nations, but Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara return from suspension.
Nottingham Forest will be without the injured Ola Aina, Willy Boly, Ryan Yates and Chris Wood, whilst Ibrahim Sangare is away to AFCON.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Digne, Kamara, Tielemens, McGinn, Rogers, Malen, Watkins
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko, Dominguez, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus
Anything else catch the eye?
Prior to their 4-1 thrashing at leaders Arsenal, Aston Villa had won 12 of their previous 13 Premier League encounters, including their past seven in front of their supporters, and I expect them to return to winning ways against their struggling visitors.
What’s more, Villa have won each of their past three at home to Nottingham Forest, and I like the 4/5 on offer at bet365 for that trend to continue on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s charges have failed to score in just one of their last 14 Premier League encounters – scoring 2+ goals in 10 (71%) of them – and I also like the 17/20 on offer at William Hill for them to bag another brace.
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