Aston Villa XI vs Nottingham Forest – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·12 April 2026

Aston Villa XI vs Nottingham Forest – Predicted lineup and team news

Aston Villa travel to the City Ground today, aiming to strengthen their hold on fourth place.

The visitors hold a six-point advantage in the Champions League qualification race. Manager Unai Emery oversaw a dominant 3–1 European victory in Bologna on Thursday night. Villa haven’t completed a Premier League double over Forest since the 1992–93 season. However, they have lost only three of their 17 Premier League meetings with Forest.

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Aston Villa team news

Unai Emery provided encouraging updates on two key players ahead of this trip. Alysson has returned to training, while Jadon Sancho is progressing well from injury. Accordingly, both players will face late fitness tests to determine their involvement today.

Notably, captain John McGinn remains the most influential figure in the starting eleven. Villa have won 61% of their games when he starts this season. Emiliano Martínez will start in goal behind a defence anchored by Tyrone Mings.

Notably, Villa have scored 14 goals from outside the box this season. This is more than any other side in the Premier League. Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are expected to provide the midfield engine room. Villa rely on their superior conversion rate to secure a vital away win today.