Preview: Nottingham vs Aston Villa prediction, odds, where to watch, time | UEFA Europa League 2025-26 semi-final first leg
These teams are now going to battle for the third time this season.
Nottingham Forest will lock horns with Aston Villa for their first leg semi-final fixture of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. This is going to be an intense outing between these Premier League clubs.
The Garibaldis have performed really well in their last three matches. They have secured back-to-back wins and will be keen to extend their winning streak. The VĂtor Pereira-led side are coming in after securing a dominating 5-0 win against Sunderland. It was a top performance by them to bag three points.
Nottingham Forest will be at home for their upcoming fixture, giving them an advantage from the start. They are going to face a tough challenge, but will not back down easily.
Unai Emery’s men faced an unfortunate loss against Fulham after they delivered a poor performance. The Villans will be eager to return to winning ways. Their performance against Bologna in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal was on point and they secured a 7-1 win on aggregate.
Aston Villa are set to be the visiting side in their next matchup and it might make things a bit tougher for them. They will be eager to put in a strong fight and must control the game from the start.
Kick-off:
- Location: Nottingham, England
- Stadium: The City Ground
- Date: Friday, May 1
- Kick-off Time: 12:30 AM IST (Thursday, April 30; 07:00 PM GMT/ 02:00 PM ET/ 11:00 AM PT)
- Referee: TBA
- VAR: In use
Form:
Nottingham: D-D-W-W-W
Aston Villa: W-D-W-W-L
Players to Watch
Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest)
Igor Jesus has now scored in back-to-back games for Nottingham Forest. In the 11 European competition games this season, he has scored seven goals and has an assist to his name. The 25-year-old will be eager to deliver another top performance and help his side stand a chance against the Villans.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins has performed decently in his last few games. He has six goal involvements in his last five matches. In the ongoing campaign of the UEFA Europa League, he has scored four goals and has an assist to his name. The 30-year-old will lead the attack from the front and will be a constant threat to the opponent’s defence.
Match Facts
- Nottingham Forest are on a three-match winning streak.
- Aston Villa have secured two wins in their last three games.
- The Villans have defeated the Garibaldis three times in their last five encounters.
Nottingham vs Aston Villa: Betting Tips and Odds
- Aston Villa to win @19/10 BetMGM
- Ollie Watkins to score @9/4 Coral
- Goals under 3.5 @3/10 Unibet
Injury and Team News
Nottingham Forest will miss out on the services of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willy Boly, Nicolo Savona, Murillo and John Victor due to their injuries.
Boubacar Kamara and Alysson Edward are not going to be in action for Aston Villa. They are injured.
Head-to-Head
Total matches: 136
Nottingham won: 40
Aston Villa won: 64
Draws: 32
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham predicted lineup (4-4-2)
Sels (GK); Aina, Milenkovic, Cunha, Williams; Hutchinson, Sangaré, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Wood
Aston Villa predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
MartĂnez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Match Prediction
Nottingham Forest have performed well in their last few home games, but Aston Villa are not going to be an easy side to beat at the City Ground. These Premier League clubs will come up with an intense clash.
The Villans are likely to secure a win in their upcoming Europa League clash against the Garibaldis.
Prediction: Nottingham 1-2 Villa
Telecast Details
India: SonyLIV, Sony Sports Network
UK: TNT Sports
US: Paramount+, TUDN
Middle East/North Africa: beIN Sports
When and where is Nottingham vs Aston Villa Europa League semifinal?
Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the City Ground in Nottingham, England. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. GMT.
Where and how to watch UEFA Europa League live in India?
Sony Liv and Sony Sports Network will come up with the live streaming of all matches.
Where and how to watch UEFA Europa League live in UK?
TNT Sports will stream all the games for the fans in the United Kingdom.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.