Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest

Nicolas Jackson spearheads the Aston Villa attack as they return to Villa Park on 12 September 2026 for this Premier League matchday 4 encounter. After a high-scoring Champions League victory against Club Brugge, Villa look to regain domestic momentum following a recent stalemate with Hull City and a narrow defeat to Arsenal. The absence of Joao Gomes and Brian Madjo forces a reshuffle in the middle of the park, but the expected inclusion of George Hemmings and Emiliano Buendia suggests a creative approach to breaking down the opposition defense.

Nottingham Forest arrive seeking their first win of the campaign, buoyed by a resilient goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur. With Ibrahim Sangare sidelined, the visitors rely on the dynamism of Morgan Gibbs-White and Liam Delap to challenge a Villa side they last faced in a Europa League tie earlier this year. Forest have proven difficult to break down recently, and their ability to secure a draw at Liverpool indicates they are capable of absorbing pressure before launching counter-attacks.