The Premier League rings in the first Saturday of 2026 with a compelling clash at Villa Park as Aston Villa hosts Nottingham Forest. Kick-off is set for Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 12:30 GMT.
This match represents a crossroads for both clubs. Unai Emery’s Villa are looking to shake off a bruising midweek defeat to Arsenal and maintain their grip on a top-three spot, while Sean Dyche’s Forest are desperate to halt a three-game losing skid that has left them teetering just four points above the relegation zone.
Match Overview
Competition: Premier League (Matchday 20)
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT / 15:30 EAT
Referee: Simon Hooper (VAR: Paul Howard)
Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event (UK) / USA Network (US)
Form Guide: Bouncing Back vs. Stopping the Rot
Aston Villa: The Fortress Under Repair
Aston Villa enters the new year in 3rd place (39 points), having established themselves as genuine title dark horses. However, their momentum took a hit on Tuesday with a heavy 4–1 loss to Arsenal, which snapped a sensational 11-game winning streak across all competitions.
Despite that setback, the "Villans" remain a juggernaut at home. They have won 10 consecutive league games at Villa Park, a streak they hope to extend to 11 today—a feat the club hasn't achieved since 1990. Under Emery, Villa has become a tactical machine, characterized by a high defensive line and clinical transition play led by Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers.
Nottingham Forest: Dyche’s Defensive Dilemma
Life under Sean Dyche has been a game of two halves for the "Tricky Trees." After a mid-December resurgence, Forest ended 2025 on a "downward spiral," losing three straight matches without showing much attacking teeth. They currently sit 17th and hold the unwanted record of failing to score in 10 different Premier League games this season—more than any other side.
For Forest, the objective is simple: rediscover the "Dyche-ball" grit that made them hard to beat in November. With the relegation battle tightening, every point is a prisoner, especially with a daunting trip to Birmingham on the cards.
Team News & AFCON Absentees
The mid-season Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has depleted both squads, forcing the managers to dig deep into their reserve tanks.
Aston Villa Team News
Returns: Emery receives a major boost with Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara returning from one-match suspensions.
Out (Injuries): Amadou Onana is a big loss after picking up a hamstring injury against Arsenal. He joins Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, and Ross Barkley on the treatment table.
AFCON: Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) is unavailable.
New Signing: 19-year-old winger Alysson, signed from Gremio for £10m on New Year’s Day, is not yet eligible to feature.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelöf, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Boost: Ola Aina is in contention to return after a long-term hamstring layoff.
Out (AFCON): Ibrahim Sangaré is a massive miss in the heart of the midfield.
Injuries: Ryan Yates, Chris Wood, and Dan Ndoye are all ruled out.
Narrative: Douglas Luiz, currently on loan from Juventus, will be facing his former club, though he has struggled for form since returning to the Premier League.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Sels; Williams, Milenković, Murillo, Aina; Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Ward-Prowse, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Elanga.
Key Tactical Battle: The High Line vs. The Long Ball
Unai Emery’s signature high defensive line will be tested by the pace of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. While Arsenal exploited this space midweek, Forest has struggled with the precision required to beat the offside trap this season.
In the middle of the park, the duel between Boubacar Kamara and Morgan Gibbs-White will be decisive. If Gibbs-White can find pockets of space behind Villa's midfield, he could provide the service Forest has lacked. However, with Villa's 10-match home winning streak acting as a psychological shield, the onus will be on Forest to prevent an early onslaught.
Head-to-Head (H2H) Stats
Last Meeting: Aston Villa 2–1 Nottingham Forest (April 5, 2025).
Home Advantage: Villa has won their last three home games against Forest, scoring 13 goals in the process.
Dyche’s Villa Park Record: Sean Dyche has lost his last two visits to Villa Park by an aggregate score of 7–2.
Goal Drought: Forest has netted only 18 goals in 19 games this season—only Wolves (13) have scored fewer.
Match Prediction
Given Villa’s formidable record at B6 and Forest’s current inability to find the back of the net, all signs point to a home win. While the loss of Amadou Onana hurts Villa’s midfield stability, the return of Kamara and Cash should provide enough balance to see off a blunt Forest attack. Expect Ollie Watkins to get back on the scoresheet as Villa starts 2026 with three points.
Final Score Prediction: Aston Villa 2–0 Nottingham Forest
