Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 30 Apr 2026

Europa League Semi-Final Betting Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa battle it out in the first leg of this Europa League semi-final at City Ground, with kick-off set for 15:00 on Thursday 30 April.

Nottingham Forest at 0.0 look like an attractive bet on the Asian Handicap when they meet Aston Villa. Backing the hosts at -143 means a nice payout if they win and our stake returned if the Tricky Trees only draw the game.

Nottingham Forest got the win in their last game. It was away from home where Sunderland were beaten 5-0 at Stadium of Light in the Premier League. Vitor Pereira's side had 39% possession and recorded six shots on target, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus among the scorers in a goalfest where five different players found the net.

Aston Villa lost on their travels in their previous game. Fulham won 1-0 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League. The Birmingham team boasted 61% possession and had one shot on goal.

In the Europa League quarter-finals, Forest beat Porto 2-1 on aggregate, while Villa cruised to a dominant 7-1 victory over Bologna across the two legs.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Villa boast an unbeaten record in the past three games against Forest, with the last clash finishing in a 1-1 Premier League draw at City Ground. The previous 8 H2H meetings have involved four Villa wins, two Forest victories and two draws.

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, 1 loss and 4 draws, averaging 2.2 goals from 13.2 attempts and 4.9 shots on goal. Forest have had 46.3% possession, 414.4 passes and 5.4 corners per match. On average, the Tricky Trees have conceded 0.7 goals from 11.5 attempts and 3.6 shots on goal, while their opponents have earned 4.5 corners.

Top goalscorer is Morgan Gibbs-White on 7 goals, while Igor Jesus has bagged 3 and Elliot Anderson 2. Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi have been top assistors on 3, with goalkeeper Matz Sels keeping 3 clean sheets.

Villa have won 6, lost 3 and drawn 1, with an average of 1.9 goals from 4.2 shots on goal and 11.6 attempts. There’s been an average of 51.5% possession, 439.3 passes, 4.1 corners awarded and 4.7 corners against, while they’ve conceded 1.3 goals from 4.5 shots on goal and 11.9 attempts.

Ollie Watkins has scored 7, followed by Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and John McGinn with 2 goals apiece. Lucas Digne, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins have all made 2 assists in the last 10 games, while Emiliano Martinez has 4 clean sheets.

Confirmed Lineups

Nottingham Forest confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Stefan Ortega (GK), Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, Neco Williams, Omari Hutchinson, Nicolas Dominguez, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Chris Wood.

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

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tips

We bring you the complete Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa betting insight, including our top match prediction, correct score forecast, key corners pick, player prop advice and a ready-made bet builder.

Match Prediction

Nottingham Forest at 0.0 could be the best way forward. The Asian Handicap odds of -143 makes plenty of appeal, with our selection looking like the stand out bet for this Europa League semi-final.

The first port of call is to check out the Europa League injury and suspension news for each side and then scroll through the form guide. We take this information and apply it to the latest available stats to come up with a verdict.

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

• The 0.0 line has been covered by Forest in 3 consecutive games.
• The 0.0 line hasn’t been covered by Villa in 6 of their last 10 games on the road.
• The 0.0 line hasn’t been covered by Villa in 3 of their last 5 games on the road.

Based on the odds from the best betting apps, our pick carries a 58.8% chance of winning. After careful examination, our experts calculate this probability to be somewhere between 65-70%. This is why we regard this as a value wager.

Buying and selling goals at a betting site gives you the opportunity to choose different lines. The former will mean shorter odds, while a sell leads to a bigger potential return.

Don’t miss out. Explore our guide for the latest welcome bonuses and free bet offers with fresh betting promo codes.

Our Match Prediction

Forest Asian Hcp 0.0 @ -143 Bet Now

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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 (Apr 28, 21:28). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Forest 1 - 0 Aston Villa

We’re going for Forest at +650 to secure a 1-0 win. It’s exciting to bet on the correct score and this wager will hopefully be able to land a nice return.

Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Ollie Watkins Over 2.5 Shots +125

Ollie Watkins (Villa) has totalled over 2.5 shots in back-to-back games. If you agree with our verdict that he can cover the Player Shots line, then you can land odds of +125 that this happens.

Latest Ollie Watkins Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+185

First

+450

Shots

Over 2.5

-103

Under 2.5

-

---

Elliot Anderson to Score +600

Elliot Anderson (Forest) has managed two goals in his past eight games. The odds that he will be an Anytime Goalscorer look attractive considering the numbers and we’ll plump for him to find the net at odds of +600.

Latest Elliot Anderson Player Prop Odds

Goalscorer

Anytime

+600

First

+1500

Shots

Over 0.5

-238

Under 0.5

-

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

Under 9.5 Corners -123

We’ve seen under 9.5 corners in three consecutive Nottingham Forest games. For Total Corners, we’re expecting the sides to fall short and you can get odds of -123.

Europa League & League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Forest

Total

9.90 5.40 4.50

Home

9.40 6.20 3.20

Away

10.50 5.30 5.20

Aston Villa

Total

8.80 4.10 4.70

Home

9.80 5.80 4.00

Away

8.90 4.30 4.60

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 9.5

-108

Under 9.5

-132

Forest Corners

Over 4.5

-120

Under 4.5

-118

Aston Villa Corners

Over 4.5

-108

Under 4.5

-132

Most Corners

1

-105

X

+650

2

+110

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.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa 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.

Nottingham Forest are available at betting odds of +170 to beat Aston Villa, with their opponents trading at +165 with the bookies. Should you wish to back the draw, it’s on offer at +220 for this Europa League semi-final.

There’s excitement when having a Half-Time Result wager and the chance to back the draw at +115. Forest and Villa are both available at +220 for this market.

A low-scoring contest will be anticipated by many and Under 2.5 Goals currently has the shortest odds. If you are expecting both teams to score, there’s the chance to back Yes at -137 on the BTTS market.

When it comes to every Europa League game, you will find hundreds of markets available. Go through the various attractive options which are available at the top football betting sites.

Full-Time Result

1

+170

X

+220

2

+165

Half-Time Result

1

+220

X

+115

2

+220

Double Chance

1X

-217

12

-294

X2

-222

Draw No Bet

1

-118

2

-120

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp +0.25

-156

2 Hcp -0.25

+125

Total Goals

Under 2.5

-130

Over 2.5

+104

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-137

No

+102

Those interested in favourite Ollie Watkins to find the net first are able to get +450. If the Anytime Goalscorer angle makes more appeal, then this is +185.

Ollie Watkins (Villa)

First

+185

Anytime

+450

Chris Wood (Forest)

First

+200

Anytime

+480

Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest)

First

+200

Anytime

+525

Morgan Rogers (Villa)

First

+250

Anytime

+600

Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz (Forest)

First

+270

Anytime

+650

Tammy Abraham (Villa)

First

+280

Anytime

+700

Taiwo Awoniyi (Forest)

First

+330

Anytime

+800

Emiliano Buendía (Villa)

First

+360

Anytime

+900

Ross Barkley (Villa)

First

+430

Anytime

+1050

Jadon Sancho (Villa)

First

+480

Anytime

+1200

Omari Hutchinson (Forest)

First

+480

Anytime

+1200

James McAtee (Forest)

First

+480

Anytime

+1200

Dilane Bakwa (Forest)

First

+525

Anytime

+1300

John McGinn (Villa)

First

+575

Anytime

+1400

Elliot Anderson (Forest)

First

+600

Anytime

+1500

Youri Tielemans (Villa)

First

+600

Anytime

+1500

Dan Ndoye (Forest)

First

+600

Anytime

+1500

Nicolás Domínguez (Forest)

First

+650

Anytime

+1500

Douglas Luiz (Villa)

First

+700

Anytime

+1700

Matty Cash (Villa)

First

+750

Anytime

+1900

Neco Williams (Forest)

First

+800

Anytime

+2000

Ian Maatsen (Villa)

First

+850

Anytime

+1900

Ryan Yates (Forest)

First

+850

Anytime

+2000

Ibrahim Sangaré (Forest)

First

+900

Anytime

+2000

Ollie Watkins (Villa)

Over 2.5

-103

Under 2.5

-

Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest)

Over 2.5

+112

Under 2.5

-

Morgan Rogers (Villa)

Over 2.5

+135

Under 2.5

-

Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz (Forest)

Over 2.5

-120

Under 2.5

-

Chris Wood (Forest)

Over 2.5

-116

Under 2.5

-

Omari Hutchinson (Forest)

Over 1.5

-106

Under 1.5

-

Neco Williams (Forest)

Over 1.5

+140

Under 1.5

-

James McAtee (Forest)

Over 1.5

+135

Under 1.5

-

Dilane Bakwa (Forest)

Over 1.5

+148

Under 1.5

-

Jadon Sancho (Villa)

Over 1.5

+155

Under 1.5

-

Ross Barkley (Villa)

Over 1.5

+125

Under 1.5

-

Emiliano Buendía (Villa)

Over 1.5

-123

Under 1.5

-

Taiwo Awoniyi (Forest)

Over 1.5

-156

Under 1.5

-

Tammy Abraham (Villa)

Over 1.5

-147

Under 1.5

-

John McGinn (Villa)

Over 0.5

-189

Under 0.5

-

Elliot Anderson (Forest)

Over 0.5

-238

Under 0.5

-

Youri Tielemans (Villa)

Over 0.5

-172

Under 0.5

-

Dan Ndoye (Forest)

Over 0.5

-233

Under 0.5

-

Nicolás Domínguez (Forest)

Over 0.5

-217

Under 0.5

-

Douglas Luiz (Villa)

Over 0.5

-141

Under 0.5

-

Matty Cash (Villa)

Over 0.5

-112

Under 0.5

-

Ian Maatsen (Villa)

Over 0.5

-114

Under 0.5

-

Ryan Yates (Forest)

Over 0.5

-128

Under 0.5

-

Ibrahim Sangaré (Forest)

Over 0.5

+115

Under 0.5

-

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

Nottingham Forest Stats

Aston Villa Stats

Full-Time Result

• 5 wins, 1 defeat and 4 draws in the previous 10 matches
• 3 wins, 3 defeats and 4 draws in the previous 10 home matches

Full-Time Result

• 6 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw in the previous 10 matches
• 4 wins, 3 defeats and 3 draws in the previous 10 away matches

Goals

• An average of 2.20 goals scored and 0.70 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.20 goals scored and 0.70 conceded in the previous 10 home matches
• An average of 2.90 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.90 goals per game in the previous 10 home matches
• BTTS Yes in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 4 of the previous 10 home matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 3 of the previous 10 home matches

Goals

• An average of 1.90 goals scored and 1.30 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.00 goals scored and 0.90 conceded in the previous 10 away matches
• An average of 3.20 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.90 goals per game in the previous 10 away matches
• BTTS Yes in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 4 of the previous 10 away matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 2 of the previous 10 away matches

Corners

• An average of 5.40 corners awarded and 4.50 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 6.20 corners awarded and 3.20 corners against in the last 10 home matches
• An average of 9.90 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 9.40 corners awarded in the last 10 home matches
• Had the most corners in 6 and least corners in 3 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 8 and least corners in 1 of the last 10 home matches

Corners

• An average of 4.10 corners awarded and 4.70 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 4.30 corners awarded and 4.60 corners against in the last 10 away matches
• An average of 8.80 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 8.90 corners awarded in the last 10 away matches
• Had the most corners in 2 and least corners in 4 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 3 and least corners in 4 of the last 10 away matches

Possession

• An average of 46.30% possession in the last 10 matches
• An average of 50.30% possession in the last 10 home matches
• Most possession in 3 of the last 10 matches
• Most possession in 6 of the last 10 home matches

Possession

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

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Lineups & Team News

Before making your bets, take a look at the Forest vs Villa team news. Stay informed with our predicted and confirmed Europa League lineups and the latest injury reports.

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