Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa can both boast proud European pedigrees, and their Europa League semi-final tie could well turn into a close encounter.
Villa have been superior for most of this season, in this competition and the Premier League , but Forest have hit form at just the right time to make things interesting.
The Reds are on an eight-match unbeaten run and haven't lost any of their four home games against Villa since returning to the top flight. Visiting boss Unai Emery is the Europa League master, though, so we're siding with a first-leg stalemate at the City Ground at
Betting Odds
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Betting Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Nottingham Forest | 7/5 | 41.7% |
Draw | 21/10 | 32% |
Aston Villa | 7/4 | 36.4% |
Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Nottingham Forest are 7/5 to win this first leg. Aston Villa can be backed at 7/4, and the draw is 21/10.
Form Guides
Nottingham Forest Form Guide
Forest struggled early on this term under Ange Postecoglou and then Sean Dyche, and it initially looked like Vitor Pereira would be unable to stop the rot.
However, the Portuguese head coach has turned things around of late, and the Reds have eased their relegation worries with back-to-back big wins over Burnley and Sunderland , scoring nine times in those matches. That double domestic delight followed on from a hard-fought Europa League triumph over Portuguese Liga leaders Porto , with Forest drawing 1-1 away before capitalising on the early dismissal of Jan Bednarek at the City Ground , where Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed the only goal.
Gibbs-White has been in outstanding form of late, taking his goal tally for the season to 16 with five strikes in those three victories, so 9/4 for him to net at any time again here is added to our Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa tips.
Aston Villa Form Guide
Villa remain on course to qualify for next season's Champions League, but their domestic form has tailed off. Saturday's 1-0 loss at Fulham was their fourth defeat in seven Premier League outings, and they haven't won away from home in that competition since January .
Spanish boss Emery has continued his love affair with the Europa League , though, as he chases a record-extending fifth triumph in this tournament. Lille were beaten 1-0 in France and 2-0 at Villa Park in the round of 16, while Bologna were brushed aside 7-1 on aggregate after a 3-1 success in Italy and a 4-0 home stroll.
Ollie Watkins was on target in three of those matches and recently hit a double versus Sunderland in the Premier League , so 15/8 for the in-form striker to score at any time also makes it into our Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa best bets. Don't forget that the BOYLE Sports SUB SWAP offer means if your selected player is taken off, your bet will automatically transfer to his replacement!
Betting Tips
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Betting Tips
Morgan Gibbs-White to score anytime @ 9/4
Ollie Watkins to score anytime @15/8
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Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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