Big boost for Nottingham Forest as Aston Villa’s MOTM from February defeat is a doubt for Saturday

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Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, with both sides looking to firmly assert themselves in the race for European football.

After Forest’s win over Manchester United, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sit 5th in the Premier League, a place above Villa who are on the same points.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	Man CityManchester City	15	8	3	4	27	21	6	27
5	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	15	7	4	4	19	18	1	25
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	15	7	4	4	23	23	0	25

Not only are the two sides on the same points, but their results have also been identical, with seven wins, four draws and four defeats thus far.

Expectedly, then, the football world is expecting a tight affair. Chris Sutton predicted a draw between Forest and Villa, whilst Paul Merson made a bizarre claim about Forest’s form before also predicting a 1-1 draw between the sides.

With little between the sides, any advantages that can be found for either side will be huge. For Forest, the injury status of a Villa star who tormented them last season could be that advantage.

Leon Bailey is doubtful for Villa after starring vs Forest last season

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail before Villa’s midweek Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, Unai Emery expressed doubts over winger Leon Bailey’s fitness.

He said: “It is a very small injury, he is not here for tomorrow [vs Leipzig]. We will wait for the next match on Saturday [vs Forest].”

Emery has yet to comment on Bailey’s fitness after the Leipzig clash, leaving the Forest coaching staff waiting with bated breath to find out if last season’s tormentor will feature on Saturday.

In Forest’s 4-2 defeat to Villa last season Leon Bailey scored the final goal after a dominating performance out wide. He provided the assist for Ollie Watkins’ opener, whilst completing two dribbles and having ten touches in the Forest box.

Bailey also kept all of his shots on target in a match that helped him earn Villa’s Player of the Month for February. However, it isn’t just Bailey who is a doubt for Saturday, as another one of the goalscorers from February is also struggling for fitness.

Ollie Watkins may miss the Nottingham Forest clash

One piece of news that Emery did reveal to the press before the Forest match is the doubt surrounding Watkins’ fitness.

A late decision will be made on Watkins after he was substituted at halftime in the Champions League. The Nottingham Forest squad couldn’t have received a bigger boost than the fitness concerns of two of Villa’s strongest attackers, who both scored against them last season.

If Forest are to be a serious contender for European football, they must seize upon this stroke of fortune and secure a positive result against their Premier League rivals.