Confirmed alignments as Emery makes important changes

Aston Villa hosted Nottingham Forest at the end of Saturday in a crucial clash in the Champions League football struggle.

Forest goes to the third game at the Premier League, nine points ahead of Villa, as they pursue a place in the top five, with the fifth probability of sealing a place on the upper table of Europe.

Villa remains in the Champions League this season and faces an unpleasant trip to Paris this week.

Their participation in the last eight seems to have had a significant influence on the selection of the Villa team, as they aim to restrict the gap to the forest and Leapfrog Newcastle United at the table.

Check out the news of the confirmed team for the start of 5.30 pm.

News of Aston Villa team

Clearly with an eye in the first stage of the quarter of the final with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Unai Emery made eight changes to the XI that beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-0 by mid-week.

The only players who have kept their place are Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Martinez, the goalkeeper who captured the side.

Tyrone Mings, Andrés García, Axel Disi, Ian Matsen, Amadu Ona, Donyell Malen, Ollie Watkins and Marco Asseno enter the XI.

John McGinn, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digna fall on the bench, like Pau Torres, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Marcus Rashford.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Garcia, Disasi, Mings, Measures; Tielemans, Onana; Malen, Rogers, Asensio; Watkins.

Sub: Olsen, Count, McGinn, Rashford, Diws, Tourres, Ramse, Man.

Our initial XI to face -Nottingham Forest 👊 #Avlnfo pic.twitter.com/z1zfesocgt

– Aston Villa (@avfcofficial) April 5, 2025

News of Nottingham Forest Team

Forest, meanwhile, made three changes from the side that surpassed Manchester United 1-0.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morato and Nicolas Dominguez enter the team. The right, Ola Aina, encounters a beef problem, while the absence of Taiwo Awoniyi leaves the forest without a recognized striker with Chris Wood not yet available. Danilo falls on the bench.

Your Xi Forest to take Aston Villa! 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/dowtxsjrbg

– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 5, 2025

Nottingham Forest XI: SelS; Morato, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi.

Sub: Miguel, Bangre, Toffolo, Silva, Silva, Danilo, Sosa, Boly, Abbott.