Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in a game that pits two sides that are separated by five places but just three points in the Championship.
Before the start of the season, few would have anticipated that Aston Villa’s trip to Nottingham Forest would pit two teams languishing in the bottom half of the Championship against each other. But who do you think will be able to lift some of the gloom surrounding their season when they meet this weekend? Vote for your winner and first goalscorer below…
Exiled Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack comments on incident that seemingly triggered loan exit
Villa’s woes this season have probably been the greater surprise given how busy they were in the summer and in January. But despite enjoying a short upturn in form following Steve Bruce’s appointment in October, the Villans’ slim play-off hopes are diminishing fast.
Bruce’s men have not won since Boxing Day, having lost four of their last six in all competitions. And should Sheffield Wednesday beat Wigan on Friday night or Derby beat Newcastle shortly before their game with Forest on Saturday, they will be 13 points off the top six before they take to the pitch.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
January appeared to be a brilliant month for Villa with the club recruiting what seemed to be an excellent blend of quality and Championship experience. However, they were brought back down to earth by being beaten 3-0 by Brentford on deadline day when most of their signings were already through the door and playing at Griffin Park.
Meanwhile, Forest will be without two of their January signings for the contest as Ross McCormack and Aaron Tshibola are ineligible for the contest due to the pair both joining on loan from their upcoming opponents.
Poll: What was the best signing made by a Championship club during the January transfer window?
However, they could welcome Zach Clough into the team for the game after his deadline day move from Bolton Wanderers. But will it be Clough, teammate Britt Assombalonga or someone else – maybe recent Villa signing and former Forest skipper Henri Lansbury – who bags the game’s first goal?
Forest’s position in the table may suggest that they go into the game as underdogs, but it must be remembered that they are only three points adrift of Villa currently and obviously have home advantage. So where do you think the points will be going?
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