In light of this weekend’s upcoming encounter – and recent transfer dealings between the two sides – we present a team that played for both Forest and Villa.
Earlier in the month, in one of the more significant Championship transfers of the window, Nottingham Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury swapped the City Ground for Villa Park.
By the time the deadline day deals were complete, two players had made the opposite move across the Midlands – as Aston Villa’s Aaron Tshibola and Ross McCormack signed loan contracts with Forest.
Aside from the trio, there have been a plethora of players who have represented both clubs – including those not selected for our combined XI – such as Steve Hodge, Peter Withe, Nicky Shorey and Grant Holt.
GK: Karl Darlow – The current Newcastle United number 1 played more than 100 times for Forest between 2010 and 2015. However, before joining Forest, Darlow spent significant time in Villa’s academy system. Sneaks onto this list even though he technically didn’t turn out for the Villa first team.
RB: Gary Charles – The twice-capped England full back began his career at the City Ground in 1987, leaving for Derby County in 1993. Charles moved to Villa two years later and made almost a century of appearances during his four years at Villa Park – despite an injury ravaged spell.
CB: Colin Calderwood – Current Aston Villa assistant manager Calderwood ended his two decades as a player with a handful of games for Forest – before returning in 2006 for two years in the City Ground managerial hot seat. Scotland international Calderwood made 26 Premier League appearances for Villa in 1999-2000.
CB: Carl Tiler – During a relatively nomadic career, defender Tiler played for Forest between 1991 and 1995 before transferring to Villa – where the Yorkshireman made little impact in his two season stint in the west midlands.
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LB: Eric Lichaj – Villa were responsible for bringing the American to the English game in 2008. After 42 games and a five year spell, which was permeated with loan moves, Lichaj left Villa Park and joined current club Forest in 2013 – where the full back is closing in on his 200th game for the Tricky Trees.
DM: Riccardo Scimeca – Defensive midfielder Scimeca came through Villa’s youth system and played Premier League football at Villa Park from 1995 to 1999 – before a transfer to Forest saw much more game time for Scimeca, as he made more than 150 showings in five years at the City Ground.
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AM: Garry Parker – The energetic player was a significant figure for both Villa and Forest in the 1990s. After joining Brian Clough’s Forest in 1988, Parker forged a reputation as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder. Parker departed the City Ground to join Villa in 1991 – where he spent four seasons.
AM: Jermaine Jenas – After graduating from Forest’s academy in 2000, Jenas played just 29 league games for the senior side before a big money move to then Premier League side Newcastle United. Perhaps most synonymous for his time in the North-East and the eight year stint at Tottenham Hotspur, Jenas made a handful of appearances during an ill-fated loan-spell at Villa Park in 2011.
AM: Steve Stone – The most fruitful years of Stone’s career were spent at Forest and Villa. Another product of the Forest youth set-up, Stone enjoyed a decade at the City Ground, making 229 appearances and earning nine England caps in the process. The wide man made the switch to Villa in 1999, playing more than 100 times.
FW: Stan Collymore – The one-time British transfer record was set when Collymore departed the City Ground to join Liverpool in 1995. The £8.5 million price tag was more than warranted – considering that Collymore bagged 41 goals in 65 league games for Forest. Upon leaving Merseyside in 1997, Collymore signed for boyhood club Villa – where he remained until his career began its downward spiral in 2000.
FW: Marlon Harewood – Centre forward Harewood played close to 200 times for Forest between 1996 and 2003, scoring 51 goals. However, Harewood’s spell at Villa Park was less significant – making just 29 league showings in a three year period from 2007-2010.
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