Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 07 May 2026

Europa League Betting Preview: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest battle it out in the second leg of this Europa League semi-final at Villa Park, with kick-off set for 15:00 on Thursday 7 May. Forest won the first leg 1-0.

Nottingham Forest, who have won five on the bounce and are unbeaten in ten across all competitions, look like a great wager on the Asian Handicap against Aston Villa. Forest +0.75 splits the stake between +0.5 and +1.0, making this a value play at -125.

Aston Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park against Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday night. The Birmingham team recorded one shot on target and had 45% possession, while Emiliano Buendia was the goalscorer.

Nottingham Forest, without defeat in their last ten matches, beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday. Vitor Pereira's men had 33% possession and recorded four shots on goal, with Taiwo Awoniyi on the scoresheet twice and Igor Jesus also finding the net.

Head-to-Head Statistics

The first leg saw Forest secure a 1-0 home win over Villa at City Ground. Villa had 51% possession, while Forest edged the shots on target 5-4, with Chris Wood converting a 71st-minute penalty.

The previous 9 H2H games have ended in four Villa victories, two draws and three Forest wins.

Europa League		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
2	Aston Villa	8	7	0	1	14	6	8	14:6	21
13	Nott’m Forest	8	4	2	2	15	7	8	15:7	14

View Full Table

5 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, averaging 1.8 goals from 11.3 attempts and 4.2 shots on goal. Villa have had 51.5% possession, 425.1 passes and 4.8 corners per match. On average, Unai Emery's team have conceded 1.2 goals from 11.7 attempts and 4.4 shots on goal, while their opponents have earned 4.6 corners.

Top scorer Ollie Watkins has found the net 6 times, with Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and John McGinn getting 2 goals each. Lucas Digne, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins have recorded the most assists with 2 apiece. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has kept 3 clean sheets.

Forest have won 7 and drawn 3, with an average of 4.8 shots on goal, 11.6 attempts and 2.4 goals. The Midlands outfit average 46.0% possession, 402.0 passes, 5.2 corners awarded and 5.4 corners against, while 0.5 goals have been conceded from 11.8 attempts and 3.8 shots on goal.

Morgan Gibbs-White has top scored with 6, followed by Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi on 4 and 3. Neco Williams is top assists provider with 3, while Matz Sels and Stefan Ortega have collectively recorded 3 clean sheets in the previous 10 games.

Confirmed Lineups

Aston Villa confirmed lineup (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez (GK), Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Victor Nilsson Lindeloef, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins.

Nottingham Forest confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Stefan Ortega (GK), Jair Cunha, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, Neco Williams, Omari Hutchinson, Nicolas Dominguez, Elliot Anderson, James McAtee, Igor Jesus, Chris Wood.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Prediction & Betting Tips

Take on Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest with our in-depth betting analysis, featuring an expert match prediction, scoreline advice, corners market insight, key player props and a value-driven bet builder.

Match Prediction

Nottingham Forest should be highly competitive in this Europa League semi-final. On this basis, we’ll take them at -125 on the Asian Handicap +0.75 feeling optimistic that the Tricky Trees will land a payout.

It’s always a case of checking out the latest Europa League team news to make expert football predictions. Then we get to work when it comes to unearthing the stats that are the most valuable.

Key Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Europa League & league stats:

• The +0.75 line has been covered by Forest in 10 consecutive games.
• The +0.75 line has been covered by Forest in 15 of their last 20 games.
• The -0.75 line hasn’t been covered by Villa in 3 consecutive games.
• The -0.75 line hasn’t been covered by Villa in 2 consecutive games against Forest.

The odds at the best football bookies suggest our pick has a 55.6% chance of winning. However, our research has found that the actual probability is between 60-65%. It’s the reason why we are recommending this wager.

In the hunt for tastier odds, you might be interested to know that you can move the line. There’s an increasing amount of juice according to how far you are prepared to go.

Ready to boost your bet? Explore a huge selection of welcome bonuses in our regularly updated betting offers guide.

Our Match Prediction

Forest Asian Hcp +0.75 @ -125 Bet Now

BetMGM Promo Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Get Bonus T&C apply. Gamble responsibly 18+

Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (May 5, 21:28). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Aston Villa 1 - 1 Forest

An exciting wager could be the game to end in a 1-1 draw at odds of +600. A correct score bet provides a fun alternative and a nice potential return on the cards.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Morgan Gibbs-White Over 1.5 Shots -143

Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest) has finished with over 1.5 shots in six of his past ten away games. We recommend backing the -143 that he is able to cover the line, with this Player Shots wager hopefully providing a return.

Latest Morgan Gibbs-White Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+350

First

+900

Shots

Over 1.5

-116

Under 1.5

-

---

John McGinn to Score +500

John McGinn (Villa) has racked up two goals in his past four matches on home soil. Based on the numbers, we are looking to bet the +500 for him to find the net on the Anytime Goalscorer market.

Latest John McGinn Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+475

First

+1150

Shots

Over 1.5

+155

Under 1.5

-

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Corners Prediction

Aston Villa Under 7.5 Corners -143

Aston Villa have failed to cover the 7.5 corners line in ten straight games, while Nottingham Forest have let the opposition have an average of 5.00 corners in their last 5 matches. It looks a logical viewpoint that the Team Corners line won’t be reached and you can land a price of -143 for this Villa wager.

Europa League & League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Aston Villa

Total

9.40 4.80 4.60

Home

9.80 5.70 4.10

Away

9.30 4.50 4.80

Forest

Total

10.60 5.20 5.40

Home

9.60 6.10 3.50

Away

11.20 5.30 5.90

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 10.5

-118

Under 10.5

-120

Aston Villa Corners

Over 7.5

+102

Under 7.5

-147

Forest Corners

Over 2.5

-175

Under 2.5

+123

Most Corners

1

-556

X

+900

2

+450

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

With the bookmakers affording them a 59% chance of winning, Aston Villa might be a popular accumulator selection. Their betting odds are -143 when it comes to this Europa League semi-final. At +380, Nottingham Forest are regarded as having a lower probability of winning.

As the name suggests, the Half-Time Result market is settled at the break. Should you take this option, then you can choose between Villa at +128, Forest at +380 or the draw at +128.

If you want to bet on the number of goals, you can get a similar price on Over or Under 2.5 Goals. Punters expecting both teams to find the net can get -130 when it comes to BTTS Yes.

There are hundreds of markets when it comes to betting on the Europa League coupon and we recommend visiting the best betting sites to find the football wager that matches your view on the game.

Full-Time Result

1

-143

X

+285

2

+380

Half-Time Result

1

+128

X

+128

2

+380

Double Chance

1X

-556

12

-400

X2

+110

Draw No Bet

1

-370

2

+230

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp -0.75

-110

2 Hcp +0.75

-111

Total Goals

Under 2.5

-109

Over 2.5

-116

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-130

No

-104

The First Goalscorer favourite is Ollie Watkins at +310. Similar odds can be found if you’re interested in this player to register the last goal.

Ollie Watkins (Villa)

First

+115

Anytime

+310

Morgan Rogers (Villa)

First

+190

Anytime

+500

Tammy Abraham (Villa)

First

+220

Anytime

+550

Chris Wood (Forest)

First

+270

Anytime

+700

Emiliano Buendía (Villa)

First

+300

Anytime

+750

Taiwo Awoniyi (Forest)

First

+340

Anytime

+850

Ross Barkley (Villa)

First

+350

Anytime

+900

Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest)

First

+350

Anytime

+900

Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz (Forest)

First

+380

Anytime

+950

Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha dos Santos (Villa)

First

+410

Anytime

+1050

Lorenzo Lucca (Forest)

First

+420

Anytime

+1050

Jadon Sancho (Villa)

First

+430

Anytime

+1100

John McGinn (Villa)

First

+475

Anytime

+1150

Youri Tielemans (Villa)

First

+480

Anytime

+1200

Douglas Luiz (Villa)

First

+575

Anytime

+1400

Matty Cash (Villa)

First

+600

Anytime

+1500

James McAtee (Forest)

First

+600

Anytime

+1600

Omari Hutchinson (Forest)

First

+650

Anytime

+1600

Ian Maatsen (Villa)

First

+650

Anytime

+1600

Amadou Onana (Villa)

First

+700

Anytime

+1800

Dilane Bakwa (Forest)

First

+700

Anytime

+1900

Nicolás Domínguez (Forest)

First

+800

Anytime

+2000

Elliot Anderson (Forest)

First

+800

Anytime

+2200

Dan Ndoye (Forest)

First

+850

Anytime

+2200

Andrés García (Villa)

First

+900

Anytime

+2000

Ollie Watkins (Villa)

Over 3.5

-100

Under 3.5

-

Tammy Abraham (Villa)

Over 2.5

+104

Under 2.5

-

Chris Wood (Forest)

Over 2.5

+140

Under 2.5

-

Morgan Rogers (Villa)

Over 2.5

-143

Under 2.5

-

Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz (Forest)

Over 1.5

-128

Under 1.5

-

John McGinn (Villa)

Over 1.5

+155

Under 1.5

-

Jadon Sancho (Villa)

Over 1.5

+130

Under 1.5

-

Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest)

Over 1.5

-116

Under 1.5

-

Ross Barkley (Villa)

Over 1.5

-116

Under 1.5

-

Taiwo Awoniyi (Forest)

Over 1.5

-149

Under 1.5

-

Emiliano Buendía (Villa)

Over 1.5

-154

Under 1.5

-

Youri Tielemans (Villa)

Over 0.5

-250

Under 0.5

-

Douglas Luiz (Villa)

Over 0.5

-192

Under 0.5

-

Matty Cash (Villa)

Over 0.5

-164

Under 0.5

-

Omari Hutchinson (Forest)

Over 0.5

-227

Under 0.5

-

Ian Maatsen (Villa)

Over 0.5

-156

Under 0.5

-

Amadou Onana (Villa)

Over 0.5

-119

Under 0.5

-

Nicolás Domínguez (Forest)

Over 0.5

-135

Under 0.5

-

Elliot Anderson (Forest)

Over 0.5

-189

Under 0.5

-

Latest Europa League and domestic league stats. Full Time Result, Goals, Corners and Possession.

Aston Villa Stats

Nottingham Forest Stats

Full-Time Result

• 5 wins, 4 defeats and 1 draw in the previous 10 matches
• 6 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw in the previous 10 home matches

Full-Time Result

• 7 wins and 3 draws in the previous 10 matches
• 6 wins, 2 defeats and 2 draws in the previous 10 away matches

Goals

• An average of 1.80 goals scored and 1.20 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.90 goals scored and 1.30 conceded in the previous 10 home matches
• An average of 3.00 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 3.20 goals per game in the previous 10 home matches
• BTTS Yes in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 5 of the previous 10 home matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 home matches

Goals

• An average of 2.40 goals scored and 0.50 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 2.60 goals scored and 1.00 conceded in the previous 10 away matches
• An average of 2.90 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 3.60 goals per game in the previous 10 away matches
• BTTS Yes in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 6 of the previous 10 away matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 8 of the previous 10 away matches

Corners

• An average of 4.80 corners awarded and 4.60 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 5.70 corners awarded and 4.10 corners against in the last 10 home matches
• An average of 9.40 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 9.80 corners awarded in the last 10 home matches
• Had the most corners in 3 and least corners in 2 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 5 and least corners in 2 of the last 10 home matches

Corners

• An average of 5.20 corners awarded and 5.40 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 5.30 corners awarded and 5.90 corners against in the last 10 away matches
• An average of 10.60 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 11.20 corners awarded in the last 10 away matches
• Had the most corners in 5 and least corners in 4 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 4 and least corners in 5 of the last 10 away matches

Possession

• An average of 51.50% possession in the last 10 matches
• An average of 54.40% possession in the last 10 home matches
• Most possession in 5 of the last 10 matches
• Most possession in 5 of the last 10 home matches

Possession

• An average of 46.00% possession in the last 10 matches
• An average of 40.90% possession in the last 10 away matches
• Most possession in 2 of the last 10 matches
• Most possession in 0 of the last 10 away matches

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Lineups & Team News

Stay ahead of the game by checking the Villa vs Forest team news before betting. We’ll bring you the expected and confirmed lineups for the Europa League along with up-to-date injury news.

Top Football Pages