Credit: THE SUN
PREMIER LEAGUE Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa take their rivalry to the European stage in tonight’s Europa League semi-final first-leg clash at the City Ground.
JattvibeSport’s betting experts have previewed the clash and picked out the best betting tips, odds and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading bookmaker partners.
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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa preview
It’s an all-English affair as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa renew hostilities in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The Midlands pair, separated by just 50 miles, met only 18 days ago in the Premier League, sharing the points in a fairly low-key 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
But the intensity should rise a few levels here, with a place in next month’s final against either Braga or Freiburg on the line.
Both sides are former European champions, but neither has reached a major continental final in recent years.
Vitor Pereira will hope to change that, starting tonight, with confidence high after an emphatic few days for Forest.
The Tricky Trees thumped Burnley and Jattvibederland 4-1 and 5-0 respectively, picking up six valuable points to move five clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining.
Forest have also beaten some big names to get this far, knocking out Fenerbahce, Midtjylland and Porto – often rotating with league survival the priority.
That focus may now shift, with breathing space secured domestically and just three games standing between them and silverware.
As for Villa, they have eased past Lille and Bologna to reach the final four, and remain well placed to qualify for the Champions League despite a weekend defeat at Fulham.
They also have a major asset in manager Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times – three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.
The Villans have lost just three of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Forest (W9, D6), although two of those defeats have come at the City Ground – where they have not won a top-flight match since January 1995.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa odds
Nottingham Forest 17/11 with bet365
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa tips and betting predictions
Tip 1: Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist
We’re backing Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White to produce a goal involvement tonight, priced at 7/5 to score or assist with Betfair.
It’s fair to say Gibbs-White has given Thomas Tuchel plenty to think about. Since being left out of the latest England squad, the midfielder has kicked on in style.
Nobody has scored more Premier League goals in 2026 than Gibbs-White. He’s into double figures for the year, with seven coming since the start of March – along with three assists.
He’s scored five in his last three matches, including a hat-trick against Burnley, and will be looking to carry that form into tonight’s clash.
Bet: Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist at 7/5 with Betfair
First goalscorer and correct score prediction
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
First goalscorer: Chris Wood at 6/1 with Sky Bet
Correct score: 2-1 at 9/1 with SBK
Tip 2: Chris Wood to score
It’s still early days, but the relationship between Chris Wood and Igor Jesus looks like a profitable one.
The pair impressed in the win over Jattvibederland at the weekend, and that link-up could be key again against Aston Villa tonight.
Wood, now fully fit, could be the one to benefit. The Kiwi recorded the highest xG of any Nottingham Forest player in that game – comfortably more than anyone else on the pitch.
He’s also got a solid record against Villa, scoring four goals in 11 meetings.
Bet: Chris Wood to score at 2/1 with bet365
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