Aston Villa will host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 12 September 2026, in the fourth round of the Premier League, with both sides still searching for their first victory of the season.
The home team have collected only one point from their opening three league matches and have yet to score. Their poor start leaves them needing a significant improvement if they are to turn their campaign around against Nottingham Forest.
Unai Emery’s side did, however, record a midweek victory. On Tuesday, Aston Villa won 3-2 away to Club Brugge in the opening round of the League’s main stage.
Nottingham Forest’s slow start
Nottingham Forest are also without a Premier League win this season. They have taken two points from three matches and sit 16th in the table, with two goals scored and three conceded.
The visitors’ most recent league fixture ended in a goalless draw at home against Tottenham. That result extended their wait for a victory, although their defensive record remains better than Aston Villa’s early-season return.
Neither side has made a convincing start to the campaign, but Nottingham Forest have at least found the net twice and picked up one more league point than their opponents. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are yet to score in the competition after three rounds.
Form and head-to-head record
Bookmakers’ experts regard Aston Villa as the favourites for the match.
The hosts have won only one of their past five games, while suffering three defeats during that period. Nottingham Forest have gone four matches without a victory.
The recent head-to-head record offers a further point of interest, with both teams scoring in three of the last five meetings between the clubs.
Aston Villa’s midweek success against Club Brugge provides some encouragement before their return to Premier League action, but their league form remains a concern. They have taken one point from their first three fixtures and have not yet found a way to score in the competition.
Nottingham Forest arrive with a slightly stronger league record, having earned two points and conceded three goals. However, their failure to win any of their matches this season means they also face pressure to produce a result.
The prediction is for Aston Villa to take all three points at home. Such a result would give them their first Premier League win of the season.