Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League
Europe - Europa League
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by Steve Ashfield | in Europa League Predictions
We are guaranteed a club from the English Premier League in the final of the Europa League. The semi-finals see Nottingham Forest take on Aston Villa for a place in the final. Can the Villans get an away win? Read our match prediction below.
Nottingham Forest weren't even supposed to be in this season's Europa League. They qualified for the Conference League but were promoted to this competition due to Crystal Palace's dual ownership problems. The Tricky Trees have made the most of their promotion by reaching this semi-final, 30 years since they last played in European competition. Their form is strong and relegation is looking a lot less likely than a few weeks ago.
Aston Villa are on their way to the UCL next season. The Villans look like qualifying via their league position but if that fails, then winning this competition will also see them play in next season's Champions League. Their form in the Europa League has been excellent with a string of victories and just one crazy loss. Will Unai Emery lead another club to a European competition final?
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Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Best Betting Odds
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.8 | 3.3 | 2.65 |
|
|
3.06 | 3.2 | 2.42 |
|
|
2.81 | 3.2 | 2.6 |
|
|
2.75 | 3.3 | 2.6 |
|
|
2.92 | 3.2 | 2.52 |
|
What is the prediction for the football match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa?
Our prediction for the Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa match is: BTTS.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 30/04/2026 between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Europa League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 37.25% for a win of Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa with odds of 3.06 at Melbet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa is 24.67% with odds of 3.35 at Tonybet.
- Our prediction model gives a 38.08% chance ⭐ for a win of Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest with odds of 2.7 at 888Starz.
Nottingham Forest - Aston Villa Prediction and Best Odds:
| Nottingham Forest Aston Villa Prediction | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa wins | 38.08% | 2.7 at 888Starz |
| Under 2.5 | 50.94% | 1.81 at Tonybet |
| Both Team To Score | 60.42% | |
| Half-time: Draw / Full-time: Aston Villa | 18.86% | 6.5 at LSbet |
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Form
Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa Last Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
24 Apr 2026 - Premier League
19 Apr 2026 - Premier League
16 Apr 2026 - Europa League
12 Apr 2026 - Premier League
9 Apr 2026 - Europa League
22 Mar 2026 - Premier League
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Apr 2026 - Premier League
16 Apr 2026 - Europa League
12 Apr 2026 - Premier League
15 Mar 2026 - Premier League
12 Mar 2026 - Europa League
26 Feb 2026 - Europa League
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
24 Apr 2026 - Premier League
9 Apr 2026 - Europa League
22 Mar 2026 - Premier League
19 Mar 2026 - Europa League
4 Mar 2026 - Premier League
1 Mar 2026 - Premier League
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
25 Apr 2026 - Premier League
19 Apr 2026 - Premier League
16 Apr 2026 - Europa League
12 Apr 2026 - Premier League
9 Apr 2026 - Europa League
27 Mar 2026 - Clubs Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
19 Apr 2026 - Premier League
16 Apr 2026 - Europa League
22 Mar 2026 - Premier League
19 Mar 2026 - Europa League
4 Mar 2026 - Premier League
21 Feb 2026 - Premier League
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
25 Apr 2026 - Premier League
12 Apr 2026 - Premier League
9 Apr 2026 - Europa League
27 Mar 2026 - Clubs Friendlies
15 Mar 2026 - Premier League
12 Mar 2026 - Europa League
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
33 %
17 %
50 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
12 Apr 2026 - Premier League
3 Jan 2026 - Premier League
5 Apr 2025 - Premier League
14 Dec 2024 - Premier League
24 Feb 2024 - Premier League
5 Nov 2023 - Premier League
Nottingham Forest - Aston Villa: Form Analysis
It's been a difficult season for Nottingham Forest and most of it has been spent in the Premier League relegation zone. Recent weeks have seen the Reds in much improved form and they are currently five points above the drop zone.
Forest are in top form.
Last Friday saw them win 5-0 at Sunderland and that was their third straight win. Forest are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and now just one tie away from the Europa League final.
The Tricky Trees finished 13th in the league phase with 14 points from their eight games. In the knockout stages, they have had wins over Fenerbahce, Midtjylland and Porto. Home form in Europe has been mixed with four wins and three defeats.
Aston Villa recently played at Forest in the Premier League and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. That was the fifth successive match between these two clubs that have seen both teams get on the scoresheet. Last weekend saw them lose 1-0 away at Fulham but they remain fifth in the Premier League..
The Lions have played 12 games in this season's Europa League and have won 11 of them. The other was a 2-1 away loss to Go Ahead Eagles thanks to a controversial late penalty. Three of their last five away matches in this competition have seen both teams score.
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Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
M. Sels
K. Willows
DefenderZ. Abbott
J. Hanks
MidfielderJ. McAtee
R. Yates
J. Sinclair
A. Whitehall
ForwardD. Bakwa
Z. Julius Blake
L. Lucca
M. Bizot
J. Wright
DefenderV. Lindelof
I. Maatsen
T. Mings
MidfielderL. Bogarde
H. Elliott
Douglas Luiz
A. Garcia
ForwardL. Bailey
J. Sancho
T. Abraham
Missing players
J. Victor
DefenderW. Boly
N. Savona
MidfielderI. Sangare
Murillo
ForwardC. Hudson-Odoi
D. Ndoye
B. Kamara
ForwardAlysson
Nottingham Forest & Aston Villa Squad Analysis
Nottingham Forest have several injury problems ahead of this Europa League semi-final first leg against Aston Villa. Key absentees include Callum Hudon-Odoi, Murillo and Nicolo Savona. There are also doubts over Jair Cunha who suffered a shoulder injury against Sunderland last Friday.
Like most clubs, Forest make several changes for this competition. That means Mats Sels is unlikely to be between the sticks as Stefan Ortega has been in goal for the last three Europa League fixtures.
The goals are flowing for Forest.
Forest have struggled for goals this season but that's been turned around in recent games. The Reds have scored ten goals in their last three games and half of those have come from Morgan Gibbs-White. Igor Jesus is the joint top scorer in this season's Europa League plus Chris Wood is fit again.
Aston Villa will again be without Alysson and Boubacar Kamara. Their injury list has been added to with Amadou Onana having a knee injury. That ruled him out of last weekend's 1-0 loss at Fulham. Lamare Bogarde is his likely replacement.
Ollie Watkins has hit the target three times in his last couple of Europa League games. Five of their six away games in this season's Europa League have been won. A repeat of the recent 1-1 Premier League draw at Forest would delight the Villans on Thursday.
Most goals and assists
Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa
Igor Jesus
(7 Goals)
J. McGinn
(5 Goals)
, 
O. Watkins
(5 Goals)
M. Gibbs-White
(3 Assists)
M. Rogers
(5 Assists)
, 
E. Buendia
(5 Assists)
Nottingham Forest - Aston Villa Key Points
- The last five games between these two clubs have seen both teams score, including a recent 1-1 draw.
- Three of the last five Aston Villa away games in this competition have seen both teams score.
- Both teams have scored in four of Forest's last seven matches.
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Our Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction
Both of these clubs are former European champions. Nottingham Forest are playing in European competition for the first time in 30 years. Most of their season has been spent battling relegation but recent weeks have seen them turn their form around with an unbeaten run.
Aston Villa currently hold the final Champions League qualifying position despite an away loss last weekend. They have won 11 of their 12 Europa League games this season. Our main Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa prediction is BTTS.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Alternative Predictions
Draw
Last Minute: Pre-match odds analysis Nottingham Forest Aston Villa
| Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa | Opening odds | Pre-match odds | Odds Movements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest wins | 2.43 | 3.06 | +25.9% |
| Draw | 3.32 | 3.35 | +0.9% |
| Aston Villa wins | 2.93 | 2.7 | -7.8% |
After kick-off, the latest odds movements show that:
- Aston Villa is most likely to win
- The odds for this bet have decreased by 7.8% since opening
- The probability of this result was 34.1% and is now 37.0% (2.9%)
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa - FAQs
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
