Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest predictions: The Reds to make use of first-leg advantage
Oliver Barnard
Nottingham Forest won the first leg of the Europa League semi-final 1-0
The Reds have lost only lost once away from home in this season's competition
Recommended bet: Nottingham Forest double chance
Lucas Digne's handball gifted Nottingham Forest a penalty, which Chris Wood converted to give his side a 1-0 lead in the first leg of this semi-final last week.
Unai Emery was left frustrated after that defeat, believing Elliot Anderson was fortunate to avoid a red card for a challenge on Ollie Watkins, but his side have bigger concerns given their recent form.
That loss to Forest is part of a run of three straight defeats, also going down to Fulham and Tottenham in the Premier League, and Villa are not currently performing at the levels they have shown for much of the campaign.
Both clubs boast a strong history in European competitions and a place in the final is on the line in one of their biggest fixtures in decades.
The latest Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Aston Villa made seven changes for Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, with multiple players rested ahead of this clash.
Amadou Onana is unlikely to feature on Thursday due to a calf injury, while John McGinn is hopeful of returning after a tight hamstring.
Nottingham Forest will be aiming to name a similar side to the one that won the first leg.
Vitor Pereira heavily rotated in Monday's 3-1 league win over Chelsea but saw Zach Abbott go off in the first half after a clash of heads.
Talisman Morgan Gibbs-White also had to be withdrawn with a head injury, with the coach reporting the playmaker to have suffered a deep cut.
The stats
Aston Villa are unbeaten at home in this season's Europa League
Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven meetings with Forest
Both teams have scored in five of the last six meetings between the sides
The Reds are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions
Villa have lost their last three in all competitions
Forest have lost just once away in this season's Europa League
The latest Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Aston Villa have fallen below their usual standards in recent weeks and head into this second leg under pressure after three straight defeats.
While they are expected to improve on home soil, their defensive record against Nottingham Forest and recent performances suggest they remain vulnerable.
Both sides heavily rotated for their most recent league fixtures but, unlike Villa, Forest still came away with three points.
The Tricky Trees have scored 13 goals in their last four matches in all competitions and, regardless of whether Villa improve, they look capable of finding the net and protecting their aggregate advantage.
With a 1-0 lead, the visitors can approach the game with control, knowing a draw or better will be enough to send them through.
Score prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Nottingham Forest
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