Unai Emery has reshuffled his Aston Villa pack, making four alterations to his starting eleven for this afternoon's Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.
Emery's Four Changes Revealed
The Villa boss has reacted to last Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal by bringing Matty Cash, Ian Maatsen, Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn into the side. They replace the players who make way following the loss at the Emirates Stadium, which was Villa's first defeat in two months.
Emiliano Martinez retains his place in goal, shielded by a back four of Cash, Ezri Konsa, Victor Lindelof and the returning Maatsen. In midfield, Kamara partners Youri Tielemans in the double pivot, offering a solid base.
Ahead of them, the creative and energetic trio of John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia will be tasked with supplying the ammunition for lone striker Ollie Watkins, who leads the line once more.
Villa Eye Historic Home Streak Against Struggling Forest
The hosts are chasing a significant milestone today: an 11th consecutive Premier League victory at Villa Park. Their formidable home form stands in stark contrast to Forest's struggles on the road this season.
The historical statistics heavily favour the Claret and Blue. Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games against Nottingham Forest, winning the last five in a row. Their last home defeat to today's opponents came all the way back in October 1994 under manager Ron Atkinson.
Furthermore, Forest boss Sean Dyche's positive early record at Villa Park has crumbled. After being unbeaten in his first three Premier League visits (W1 D2), he has lost his last two matches there by an aggregate score of 7-2.
Forest's Attacking Woes Provide Villa Opportunity
Nottingham Forest arrive in Birmingham with a glaring issue in front of goal. No team has failed to score in more different Premier League matches this season than Forest (10). Only Wolverhampton Wanderers (11) have netted fewer than Forest's tally of 18 goals so far this campaign.
This presents a clear opportunity for Villa's reorganised side to secure a clean sheet and return to winning ways, consolidating their position in the upper echelons of the table.
Aston Villa starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
Substitutes: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Carroll, Bogarde, Hemmings, Sancho, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba.
The match kicks off at 12:30pm today at Villa Park, with both teams eager for points for very different reasons.
