Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa - UEFA Europa League

The UEFA Europa League returns to the home ground on April 30, 2026, where Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Michael Carrick's side are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on Saturday afternoon with the aim of building on last weekend's win over Atletico Madrid.

Both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will be eager to build momentum when they meet in UEFA Europa League. Nottingham Forest will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Paulo Fonseca's men are still smarting from their Champions League play-off exit but now sit third in the table.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Nottingham Forest will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Aston Villa will back themselves to cause problems on the break. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Trent Alexander-Arnold came in and produced a trademark assist, while Kylian Mbappe added to his midweek hat-trick against Real Sociedad with another goal here.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the UEFA Europa League table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.