On Wednesday 9 September 2026, Aston Villa play Nottingham Forest in the EPL. Our model likes 3 bets here. The one it likes most is Nottingham Forest +3.5 Goal Handicap, priced at -10000 when we wrote this. Here is the thinking behind each pick, in plain English.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest: Nottingham Forest +3.5 Goal Handicap (-10000)
Odds available at FanDuel at time of publishing As we dive into this intriguing matchup, Aston Villa’s recent form paints a complex picture. They've struggled to score consistently at home, averaging just 1.2 goals in their last five games, while their defense has allowed an average of 1.6. In contrast, Nottingham Forest has shown resilience away from home, netting an impressive three goals in their last five matches despite their overall lackluster results. Their attacking stats suggest they are capable of causing problems, with an average of 12.4 shots per game. Given Aston Villa's shaky home record and Nottingham’s potential to exploit defensive gaps, betting on Forest to cover a 3.5 handicap seems wise. They’ve proven they can score and with Villa's home woes, this could lead to a tighter contest than expected. With Nottingham aiming to rebound, they might just surprise us all.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest: Under 5.5 Total Goals (-5000)
Odds available at FanDuel at time of publishing As Aston Villa prepares to take on Nottingham Forest, the recent form and stats paint a compelling picture favoring the under in total goals. Villa's home scoring average hovers around 2.2 goals, but they've been modest lately, netting just 1.2 goals per game in their last five. Nottingham Forest, struggling away, averages only 1 goal per match and has failed to inspire confidence, with their last five outings yielding a mere 3 total goals. Defensively, both teams have tightened up, with Villa allowing 1.6 goals and Forest conceding 1.2 on the road. The xG numbers reinforce this narrative, indicating a lack of clear-cut chances. Given the pattern of low-scoring affairs in their recent meetings and both teams’ current trajectories, betting on under 5.5 total goals seems a wise choice. Expect a tactical battle rather than a goal-fest in this clash.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest: Nottingham Forest +2.5 Goal Handicap (-2500)
Odds available at FanDuel at time of publishing As Aston Villa prepares to host Nottingham Forest, the stats suggest a telling story. Villa's home form has been shaky recently, with only two wins from their last five. On the flip side, Forest has struggled away, but they managed a solid 3-1-1 record against Villa in their last five encounters. Notably, Villa’s recent scoring average at home stands at a mere 1.2 goals, while Forest has found the net more effectively, averaging 3 goals in their last away games. With Villa's xG numbers reflecting a lack of offensive potency, and Forest’s resilience against them in past meetings, backing Nottingham Forest on the handicap feels promising. Their ability to exploit Villa's defensive frailties could turn the tide in their favor, making this a compelling bet.
That is how our model reads Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest. Prices move, so check the price at your bookmaker before you back anything. And if a game does not feel right to you, the strongest move is to skip it -- there is another one tomorrow.