Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa prediction 30.04.2026 | UEFA Europa League

Nottingham Forest turn their attention to the Europa League semi-finals after a sensational 5:0 win at Sunderland pushed them closer to Premier League safety. Morgan Gibbs-White scored a brilliant hat-trick at the Stadium of Light.

Vitor Pereira’s side have enjoyed a fine run of form, securing three successive victories with ten goals scored in the process. Over a longer period, the Garibaldis are unbeaten in each of their last eight fixtures. 

a high-scoring first-leg seems unlikely to develop at the City Ground. Eleven of Nottingham Forest’s last 12 Europa League games finished with three goals or fewer. Still, BTTS has landed in each of five previous meetings between these sides, and in three of the hosts’s last five fixtures.

Head coach Pereira has a handful of players unavailable this week.Callum Hudson-Odoi (muscle), John Victor, Murillo (muscle), Nicolò Savona and Willy Boly are all ruled out through injury.

Aston Villa make the trip to the City Ground after a disappointing 1:0 defeat at Fulham last weekend. Ryan Sessegnon’s first-half goal secured the points for the Cottagers. 

Unai Emery’s side have been in decent form, winning five of seven previous games before their defeat in London last weekend. 

On the road, the Villains have struggled to keep clean sheets. Three of their last four away matches finished with BTTS while that outcome also occurred in each of five previous meetings between these sides.

Head coach Emery has two confirmed absentees this week. Alysson (muscle) and Boubacar Kamara are both ruled out through injury.