Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: Europa League Betting Tips & Best Bets

Here are our Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa betting tips and predictions ahead of Thursday's all-English Europa League semi-final first leg.

As the season reaches its climax, these two sides are within touching distance of a European final.

Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are separated by less than 50 miles in the English Midlands, but are battling at opposite ends of the Premier League table. Champions League-chasing Villa sit fifth, while Forest are 16th and still not safe from relegation.

However, both sides arrive as equals to this Europa League semi. Forest have beaten Turkish side Fenerbahce, Danish outfit Midtjylland, and Portuguese powerhouse Porto on their way to the final four. Villa, meanwhile, have got past Lille and Bologna to set up this meeting between to Midlands rivals.

The pair have already met twice this season, with Villa winning at home in the Premier League, and the reverse fixture ending in a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

But they now prepare to face each other for a third and fourth time, with the promise of a place in next month's final at stake.

Odds taken from Betnero at 10:30 UK time, on 30 April 2026.

Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa Prediction

Looking forward to Thursday's game, Forest are slight underdogs with most UK betting sites. The Reds are priced at around 2.75, while Villa are 2.60 favourites.

Historically, it's Villa who have the upper hand in recent seasons, as well as dominating the overall matchup. Villa have won 56 of the 120 meetings between themselves and Forrest, who have 35 wins.

Villa have won seven of the past 12 against Forest, who have won twice in that time. However, the stats tell a different story when Forest have been at home.  The Tricky Trees have won two and drawn two of their last four at home to Villa, last losing in the Championship back in 2019.

Furthermore, Forest are unbeaten in their last six in the Premier League, and seem to be finding their form at the right time of the reason. For that reason, we don't see Villa winning, with an entertaining draw the most likely outcome in our opinion.

Our Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Aaton Villa

Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa Betting Tips

Below, we have listed our top three betting tips ahead of Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa, all of which can be backed ahead of the action at the City Ground on Thursday night.

Draw & Both Teams To Score - 4.00

As mentioned, we can't choose a winner on Thursday, so a draw with both teams to score feels like a strong pick.

Both sides have been scoring freely as of late, with Forest smashing Sunderland 5-0 and Villa putting four past the Black Cats.

With odds of 4.00, there is good potential for profit from this one, and it's a very reasonable outcome considering the two sides involved.

Both Teams To Score In Both Halves - 8.50

Following on from our prediction of a high-scoring draw, we also feel that backing both teams to score in both halves could be a strong bet.

Two free-scoring, attack-minded teams that have not been particularly strong defensively at times this season mean there is lots of potential for goals.

We feel these two may well end up going blow-for-blow and trading scores in both halves, making this a good opportunity to make some big profit.

Igor Jesus First Goalscorer - 6.50

And last but not least, we see Nottingham Forest star man Igor Jesus as a great pick to grab the first goal.

The Brazilian has been in dazzling form, netting seven goals in the Europa League so far this season, and 15 in all competitions despite Forest's struggles.

He is therefore a great option, and with 6.50 odds, represents good value ahead of Thursday's fixture.