Nottingham Forest will host Aston Villa on Saturday in what promises to be a fascinating encounter between two sides surprisingly intertwined in the Premier League this season.
Both clubs sit on 25 points, with identical records of seven wins, four draws, and four defeats. Last weekend, Forest’s impressive victory over Manchester United elevated them to this tally, matching Villa stride for stride.
Despite the symmetry in their campaigns so far, Forest may have some edges to exploit. Villa could be without Leon Bailey, a key player in their attack, while the visitors’ inconsistency in front of goal might be vulnerable to Nuno Espirito Santo’s counterattacking tactics.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reflected on the parallels between the two teams during his press duties this week, making an unexpected declaration about Forest’s status.
“Forest are always a respectful team for us. They are now our rivals because they have the same points that we [Aston Villa] have,” Emery said.
“They are having an amazing, amazing season. Last season we played there [City Ground] in different circumstances and lost, so I know the difficulties we are going to face tomorrow.”
While Forest and Villa share a geographical connection in the Midlands, they lack a traditional rivalry, whether historical or competitive.
However, Emery’s comments underline the remarkable progress Forest have made under Espirito Santo.
Being labelled a rival by a side that reached the Champions League last season is further evidence that Forest’s strong start is no fluke.
Forest can exploit key weakness in Aston Villa on Saturday:
To triumph on Saturday, Espirito Santo can lean on Forest’s home strength. The City Ground has been a fortress this season, with Forest unbeaten at home since September.
Their last clash with Villa at this venue ended in victory, a result that could linger in the minds of the visitors.
Aston Villa’s away form has been far from convincing. After two wins on the road in August, they have managed only one further away victory, against Fulham, and have since suffered defeats at Tottenham, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
This is particularly notable given Forest’s own achievement of beating Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season.
With Villa struggling on their travels and Forest in commanding form at home, Saturday’s clash offers the perfect opportunity for the hosts to seize all three points.
A win would not only underline their progress but also create breathing room in the chase for European football, as Forest look to capitalise on their self-proclaimed rivalry with Villa.
