This Saturday's early Premier League kick-off sees high-flying Aston Villa welcome a struggling Nottingham Forest to Villa Park in a match with contrasting implications for both sides.
Form Guide Favours the Hosts
Aston Villa, sitting third in the table, are the clear favourites as they continue their impressive campaign under Unai Emery. Their opponents, Nottingham Forest, find themselves in 17th place, just four points above the relegation zone, and are desperate for a positive result.
Both teams are looking to bounce back from defeats last time out. Villa suffered a heavy 4-1 loss away to league leaders Arsenal, while Forest were beaten 2-0 at home by Sean Dyche's Everton.
The Stakes at Villa Park
The challenge for Forest appears immense. Aston Villa currently possess one of the most formidable home records in European football this season. Their strength at Villa Park has been a cornerstone of their success, contributing significantly to a remarkable club-record tally of 36 wins across all competitions this term.
However, the unpredictable nature of the Premier League means Forest will travel with hope. The question on everyone's lips is whether the new year can bring a new story for Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
Team News Awaited
All eyes will be on the official team sheets, which are set to be announced shortly before the match gets underway at 12:30pm GMT. The selections could prove pivotal in determining whether Villa can reinforce their top-four credentials or if Forest can pull off a vital away result in their fight for survival.
