BirminghamLive provides Aston Villa news as Unai Emery gets his team ready for the Premier League matchup with Nottingham Forest.
This Saturday at Villa Park, when Nottingham Forest plays Unai Emery’s team, Aston Villa has a chance to open up a five-point lead inside the top four.
Villa defeated Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage last time out, while Tottenham, who are a strong contender for the Champions League, lost to Wolves at home. Although Ange Postecoglou’s team is not playing this weekend because Chelsea is competing in the Carabao Cup, Villa has a stronger motivation to win the league back-to-back.
After defeating Villa 2-0 at the City Ground in November, Forest is hoping to win the league double against Villa at Villa Park for the first time since 1984–85. Under Dean Smith, Villa has not lost three straight games at Villa Park in November 2020. The team has also lost its last two games there.
Six players were still sidelined for Villa going into the match, three of whom—Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, and Boubacar Kamara—would not be playing this year. Jhon Duran, Ezri Konsa, and Diego Carlos are still out.
Goalkeepers
Emi Martinez, Robin Olsen, Joe Gauci.
Defenders
Matty Cash, Kaine Kesler Hayden, Clement Lenglet, Pau Torres, Calum Chambers, Lucas Digne, Alex Moreno.
Midfielders
Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey, Jacob Ramsey, Tim Iroegbunam.
Forwards
Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Nicolo Zaniolo.
Unavailable
Diego Carlos (hamstring), Jhon Duran (hamstring), Ezri Konsa (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Emi Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee).
