Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest - UEFA Europa League

All eyes turn to the home ground on May 7, 2026 as Aston Villa welcome Nottingham Forest in a UEFA Europa League encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Anderson was pointing out that City had held the whip hand in this fixture "for as long as I've known", which isn't exactly inaccurate but will also fan the flames ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest cross paths in the UEFA Europa League, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Nottingham Forest will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Phil Foden was handed a free role in the No 10 position behind striker Muamba, who scored in consecutive pre-season games.

The touchline duel between the two managers adds another layer of intrigue, with both likely to tweak their setups in search of a decisive edge. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. The agency Roc Nation are reportedly working on getting Real Madrid striker Endrick a transfer to the Premier League this summer.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the UEFA Europa League standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".