Premier League: Top Midlands Boys Prepare to Do Battle

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Now here’s a Midlands derby to evoke memories. To a time when these two clubs were not only the pride of the Midlands, but the pride of England and also the champions of Europe. Forest’s crowning glory in 1979 and 1980 under the great Brain Clough is the stuff of legend as they were crowned back-to-back kings of Europe, while Villa lifted the crown themselves two years later. Fast forward 40 plus years, and these two are the top clubs in the Midlands once again and faring very well indeed in the Premier League. In fact, such has been their progress, this represents potentially the most exciting meeting between them for around three decades.

 

Talking Points 

Forest go into this encounter on a massive high as they continued their set of Premier League 2024 highlights. A 3-2 success at Manchester United was their first at Old Trafford for 30 years – thoroughly deserved and the culmination of a fine team performance. The player who scored the winner at Old Trafford, Chris Wood, has now overtaken Bryan Roy as the club’s highest scorer in the Premier League. The New Zealand forward has certainly struck up a positive working relationship with manager Nuno Espirito Santo, taking his tally to 21 goals in 31 Premier League appearances under the Portuguese, including 13 in 16 matches away from the City Ground.

The goal-getting Kiwi may be 33 but he’s in the form of his life. This is no flash in the pan for Wood, a throwback to the old days with his bustling performances and determination to score goals in any way; he’s a constant menace with substance over style.

That result made it a deflating weekend for this SBOTOP writer and, without taking anything away from the victory, it was also self-inflicted by the hosts and whether Aston Villa are as generous remains to be seen.

On the same day as Forest’s triumph, Villa moved into the top six, albeit without being at their best, by beating rock bottom Southampton with a solitary goal. It was their second win in four days, following eight games without a victory, and one they followed up in Germany on Tuesday with an impressive 3-2 success at RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Domestically, Villa are two points behind champions Manchester City, who they welcome to Villa Park on December 21, and level on points with Forest so the importance of this game is clear.

The visitors will be without Leon Bailey with the talented attacker likely to be out for up to three weeks after the forward came off with a hamstring injury in the second half against the Saints.

Form can count for little in a Midlands Derby, as shown in the corresponding fixture last term when Forest ran out 2-0 home winners, and after victories at Old Trafford and Anfield this term, even a fine Villa side won’t hold any fear for Forest.

 

History

Forest’s scorers in their memorable win last November were Ola Aina and Orel Mangala, while Villa gained revenge with a 4-2 home victory themselves later in the campaign.

On that occasion, Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz (two), and Bailey were the marksmen. Moussa Niakhaté and Morgan Gibbs-White were the men on target for Forest.

The men from the Trent have only beaten Villa twice in the past 30 years – their other victory coming at home in the Championship in 2017 when Ben Brereton Diaz netted a last-minute winner.

Historically, Villa have 62 successes to Forest’s 39 with an additional 31 draws.

Their very first meeting was an FA Cup tie in December 1880, a second-round contest watched by an estimated 5,000. Archie Hunter and Howard Vaughton were the scorers that day for Villa as they ran out 2-1 winners.

 

Betting Tip

Can Forest follow up their Old Trafford scalp with victory in the Midlands derby?

The Premier League 2024 betting odds actually make them slight favourites, both 1X2 @ 2.51 – compared to Villa @ 2.54 – and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.94 with Unai Emery’s men priced 0.00 @ 1.96.

A repeat of the corresponding fixture from last season is available @ 14.00 with Correct Score 2-0, while a first goalless draw between the sides in 27 years is on offer @ 12.50.

I think there will be a few goals and have considered Total Goal total 2-3 @ 2.00 and even 4-6 @ 3.07, as well as over 2.75 @ 2.03, but in the end I’ve plumped for honours even.

   

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