Nottingham Forest Starting XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup Carries Growing European Belief

Nottingham Forest arrive at Villa Park carrying more than a narrow 1-0 advantage. They also bring momentum, resilience and growing confidence that this remarkable European journey can stretch all the way to another major final.

Vítor Pereira’s side produced a disciplined first leg display at the City Ground, with Chris Wood’s penalty proving decisive against Aston Villa. Forest now head into Thursday’s second leg unbeaten in ten matches across all competitions, a run that has steadily transformed belief around the squad.

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The challenge at Villa Park remains significant, particularly given Forest’s difficult recent record there, but this team has increasingly shown an ability to absorb pressure and manage tense moments.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup Faces Injury Concerns

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the Nottingham Forest predicted lineup centres on Morgan Gibbs-White.

The midfielder remains a doubt after suffering a deep cut during the recent win over Chelsea. Although concussion has been ruled out, the severity of the injury could still influence Pereira’s selection plans ahead of such a physically demanding contest.

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Forest are already without several important figures. Ola Aina, Ibrahim Sangare and Murillo remain sidelined, while Nicolo Savona, Callum Hudson-Odoi, John Victor and Willy Boly are also unavailable.

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Despite those absences, Forest have continued finding solutions throughout this Europa League campaign.

Pereira’s decision to make eight changes earlier in the week reflected the importance being placed on freshness and tactical discipline for this second leg.

Pereira System Continues Delivering Results

Forest’s structure has arguably become their greatest strength.

They restricted Aston Villa to an xG of only 0.8 during the first leg and have now recorded seven clean sheets in this season’s Europa League campaign, the joint highest total in the competition.

That defensive organisation has allowed attacking players to become increasingly dangerous in transition.

Omari Hutchinson was particularly influential in the first meeting, completing ten dribbles and creating four chances. Igor Jesus has also become an important attacking outlet away from home after contributing to five goals on the road during the competition.

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Chris Wood is again expected to lead the line with Taiwo Awoniyi unavailable due to squad registration rules.

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Forest’s confidence is understandable. They have only been eliminated from one of their last 13 knockout ties after winning the opening leg.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa

The Nottingham Forest predicted lineup suggests Pereira will continue trusting the disciplined approach that has carried the club this far in Europe.

Nottingham Forest predicted XI: Ortega; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Dominguez, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Wood.

There is little expectation that Forest will radically alter their style despite travelling away from home. Pereira has built this run on compact defending, intelligent pressing and clinical moments in attack.

Kick off at Villa Park is scheduled for 20:00 BST on Thursday, 7 May 2026. Supporters in the UK can watch live on TNT Sports 1, with streaming available through HBO Max.