Aston Villa come into this clash in good form after beating Fulham 2-1 in their last match, a scoreline that was an unfair reflection of Villa’s dominance. Last Word on Football brings you our Aston Villa predicted lineup as The Villans look to gain revenge against Forest, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in November.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs. Nottingham Forest
How Villa Have Lined-Up Recently?
Following a litany of injuries to Villa’s defensive stocks, Pau Torres and Clement Lenglet lined up for the first time in the heart of Villa’s back four against Fulham. Lenglet was at fault for the goal, but considering the pair were unfamiliar they put in a fair performance.
Boubacar Kamara has been the big news in the last couple of weeks as he is set to spend considerable time on the sidelines. Against Fulham, Douglas Luiz slotted into his number six role, which made space for Youri Tielemans. The Belgian international is one of those players that always appears to have ample time on the ball, and will relish an opportunity at his first consistent run in the side.
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In attack, Matty Cash and Alex Moreno have provided considerable assistance in semi-wingback roles, whilst Leon Bailey has been in his best form since joining Villa, dictating the attacking play alongside the supremely consistent John McGinn. Jacob Ramsey has been in the starting lineup of late but has been in tumultuous form since returning from injury.
Ollie Watkins remains the only player in the Premier League with a double-figure goal and assist contributions and is undoubtedly the first name on the team sheet.
Villa’s Recent Form and Tactics
Villa’s form has been so-so since Christmas, and they suffered an unfortunate double to Champions League rivals Manchester United. However, the team have been clicking recently against lower-league sides. They thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 at Bramall Lane and rather took their foot off the Northern club’s throat soon into the second half. It could have been a lot more.
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After suffering a 2-1 defeat at home at the hands of United, they bounced back with an away victory over Fulham. As has been the Unai Emery method all season, pace on the counter was the undoing of Fulham, and they will likely welcome the Forest team onto them in the same way here.
There’s no doubt that Villa will have more of the ball at home against these relegation scrappers, but Forest are not short of an attacking threat, and Villa will be looking to use their boldness to their advantage.
Villa’s Injury List
Ezri Konsa, Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos and Jhon Duran are out, but according to Emery they are, “progressing well“.
Emery also announced that Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are close to returning to training after major injury setbacks and added: “This season is not for them, but we are happy when they are close to being with us and helping us in the dressing room and in training.”
Unsurprisingly, Villa find themselves short at the back with Torres likely to line up alongside Lenglet again. Moreno and Cash look like shoe-ins to start, with Moreno in great form and Konsa out injured leaving Emery with no real right-back alternative.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Nottingham Forrest
GK: Emiliano Martinez
RB: Matty Cash
CB: Clement Lenglet
CB: Pau Torres
LB: Alex Moreno
CDM: Douglas Luiz
CM: Youri Tielemans
CM: John McGinn
RM: Leon Bailey
LM: Jacob Ramsey
ST: Ollie Watkins
