There is a reduced fixture list in the Premier League this weekend but we have an exciting preview for you featuring teams at opposite ends of the table.
The game between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will take place on the 24th of February at Villa Park. The hosts begin the weekend 4th in the Premier League on 45 points while the visitors are in 16th place on 24 points.
Aston Villa come into the match having beaten Fulham 2-1 away from home in the Premier League last weekend.
The best sound in football? 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/CgfJyax9yl— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 19, 2024
The best sound in football? 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/CgfJyax9yl
Aston Villa took the lead in the 23rd minute and added a second goal 11 minutes into the second half.
Fulham pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute but Aston Villa prevented them from scoring again to win the game.
The victory at Fulham was only the second win in 7 matches in all competitions for Aston Villa.
They also beat Sheffield United 5-0 away in the Premier League but there have been defeats against Newcastle United and Manchester United at home in the Premier League plus Chelsea at home in the FA Cup.
Stats show Aston Villa have not lost in 21 of their last 25 home matches in all competitions but they have suffered defeats in each of their 3 most recent home games. Both teams have scored in each of Aston Villa’s last 4 home Premier League fixtures.
Nottingham Forest travel to Villa Park on the back of a good 2-0 home win over West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend.
Nottingham Forest opened the scoring on the stroke of half time and with West Ham down to ten players, they sealed the points with a second goal at the end of the game.
The win over West Ham means Nottingham Forest are undefeated in 3 of their last 4 fixtures in all competitions.
There was a penalty shootout victory over Bristol City following a 1-1 draw at home in the FA Cup and a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest also lost 3-2 at home against Newcastle United in the league.
Trends show Nottingham Forest have won only 3 of their last 26 away matches in all competitions.
They have recorded just a single victory from their last 9 away Premier League games and have seen both teams score in each of their last 4 league fixtures on the road.
Looking ahead to the team news and Aston Villa have several players on the treatment table, including Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, Ezri Konsa, Jhon Durán, Tyrone Mings, and Emiliano Buendia.
Nottingham Forest make the trip without injured striker Chris Wood. They also have doubts over the fitness of Gonzalo Montiel.
Teams form suggests Nottingham Forest could score in this match but their away record means a win could be out of reach. This should be another victory for Aston Villa as they continue their pursuit of Champions League football, with over 2.5 goals scored in total.