Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest Picks, Odds, Props, and EPL Betting Analysis — Tricky Trees to Continue Villa’s Miserable Start to the Campaign?  

• Aston Villa are yet to score in three EPL fixtures in 2026-27.
• Nottingham Forest have avoided defeat in back-to-back matchdays.
• Villa are unbeaten in eleven home matches against the Tricky Trees.

Aston Villa will be hopeful of ending a poor start to the Premier League season when they host Nottingham Forest on September 12. The Villans will be narrowly preferred at the best soccer betting sites, but could the Tricky Trees be primed to upset the odds in the Midlands Derby?

Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest Odds

Match Result	Odds
Aston Villa	+126
The Draw	+251
Nottingham Forest	+225
Total Goals: Over/Under 2.5	-104/-117

How to Watch

• When: Saturday, September 12, 2026. 10:00 AM ET
• Where: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• How to Watch: NBC, Peacock

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Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest EPL Preview

Villa Struggling in Transitional Season

Unai Emery has cut an increasingly frustrating figure in the Aston Villa dugout this season, as his side have struggled in front of goal in the opening three rounds of fixtures.

The Villa are yet to score in the EPL this term, and they have registered just two shots on target in their previous two domestic outings. A glimmer of hope was offered in midweek, as Villa landed a 3-2 win over Club Brugge in their Champions League opener.

Nicolas Jackson netted his first goal for the club in the European win, while Emi Buendia and John McGinn also scored. Matteo Ruggeri could be fit enough to start this weekend, while Ibrahim Mbaye could be handed a debut after completing his move from PSG.

Likely Lineup:

(4-2-3-1) Suzuki (GK); Cash, Torres, Mings, Ruggeri; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendia, Mbaye; Jackson

Forest Improving Under Glasner

It may have taken a few weeks, but Nottingham Forest finally look to have found their form under Oliver Glasner. The Tricky Trees have bounced back from back-to-back defeats against Leeds in their first two competitive outings, to pick up draws in their previous two against Liverpool and Tottenham.

Forest were incredibly unfortunate not to have recorded a win against Spurs last time out, as they had a controversial goal decision go against them. Morgan Gibbs-White will be crucial to their counterattacking gameplan at Villa Park, with the attacking midfielder having registered two goal involvements in as many EPL appearances.

Liam Delap could lead the line on Saturday, but Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolo Savona are missing due to injury.

Likely Lineup:

(3-4-2-1) Sels (GK); Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo; Munoz, Schlager, McAtee, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndioye; Delap

Head-to-Head Stats

• Aston Villa have avoided defeat in their last eleven home matches against Forest; winning on eight occasions.
• Forest have won just two of their previous 14 EPL encounters against Villa.
• Villa have won five straight fixtures against Forest at Villa Park.

Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest EPL Picks

Aston Villa finally looked to have discovered their attacking output in the midweek win over Club Brugge. That bodes well for their chances against a Nottingham Forest side that are yet to win in 2026-27. Confidence can also be gained from the fact that Villa are unbeaten in their last eleven home matches against the Tricky Trees, and they have won each of the previous five in all competitions.

• Aston Villa (+126)

Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest Props Picks

Despite finding their scoring boots in midweek, a low-scoring affair should be expected on Saturday. Villa are yet to score in three EPL outings, while the Tricky Trees didn’t allow a single shot on target in last week’s 0-0 draw against Spurs. That could also point to value in BTTS – No.

• Aston Villa to Win, BTTS – No & Under 2.5 Goals (+350)