Pundits predict Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa: Two fallen giants face off

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Nottingham Forest take on Aston Villa on Saturday in the Championship, and HITC pundits give their predictions on the likely outcome.

Dan Coombs

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Aston Villa

New signing Ross McCormack won’t be available to play against his parent club, but Villa will have new signing Scott Hogan available. They need a win badly and expect the former Brentford man to fire his side to victory on his debut.

Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack reacts

Danny Owen

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Aston Villa

Both sides signed big on deadline day in an attempt to turn round their stalling seasons and a pair of erratic defences should ensure goals at the City Ground. Ross McCormack is ineligible against his parent club but Scott Hogan will be desperate to get off to a flying start.

Former Brentford’s Scott Hogan celebrates

Alfie Potts-Harmer

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa

This is a difficult game to call. Villa were truly dreadful against Brentford, worse than any of the dross served up even in their woeful Premier League campaign, and serious questions will soon be asked of Steve Bruce’s tactics. Villa have the squad to slaughter Forest, but there could be a Deadline Day bounce around the City Ground following some good business by the club, and if Villa have yet another ‘off day’, I’m backing Forest.

Vincent Ralph

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Aston Villa

Neither side is pulling up trees at the moment and both are desperate for three points. It could be the influence of Steve Bruce that edges this in Villa’s favour after their humiliation against Brentford.

Che Thomas

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa

This is a tough game to predict, Forest are decent enough at home while Villa have won just twice on the road, and Forest have made some interesting attacking signings to add a little more firepower. But Villa also spent in January, and can’t afford a defeat that would see the two teams level on points. Scoredraw.

Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia clashes with Nottingham Forest’s Daniel Fox

Aiden Cusick

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa

Villa were hammered at Brentford in midweek and Forest will be up for this one, buoyed by a couple of smart recruits and looking to get one over Henri Lansbury, who recently left to join the Villans. Steve Bruce’s side also bought well on paper, but could take a few more weeks to gel.