Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Standings: Premier League Table

Aston Villa sit third in the Premier League, chasing European glory, while Nottingham Forest languish in 18th, fighting to avoid relegation. Their contrasting seasons collided on 12 April 2026, when a 1-1 draw at the City Ground told only part of the story.

Aston Villa current league position: 3rd (Premier League) ·
Nottingham Forest current league position: 18th (Premier League) ·
Head-to-head wins (Aston Villa): 8 (FootyStats) ·
Head-to-head wins (Nottingham Forest): 5 ·
Draws between them: 5 ·
Recent league result (12 Apr 2026): 1-1 draw at City Ground (Sports Mole)

Six key figures capture the current divide between these two clubs:

What are the stats for Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest matches?

Head-to-head record overview

• All-time meetings: 136 (Sports Mole)
• Aston Villa wins: 64 (47%) (Sports Mole)
• Nottingham Forest wins: 40 (29%) (Sports Mole)
• Draws: 32 (24%) (Sports Mole)

Alternative database 11v11 reports a nearly identical all-time split: 63 Villa wins, 40 Forest wins, 31 draws (11v11). The slight discrepancy is typical when sources include or exclude different cup competitions. Villa hold a clear historical edge, winning almost half of all encounters.

Recent meetings and form

The last three league meetings tell a tighter story. On 14 December 2024, Nottingham Forest won 2-1 at the City Ground (Soccerbase). On 5 April 2025, Aston Villa returned the favour with a 2-1 home win (11v11). The most recent clash, on 12 April 2026, ended 1-1 at the City Ground, with Murillo’s own goal cancelled out by Neco Williams (Sports Mole).

Recent form is balanced. Neither side has dominated the other in the past two seasons, even if their league positions suggest a wide gulf.

Goals and form in 2025/26 season

Aston Villa’s 3rd-place standing comes on the back of strong attacking output and a solid defence. Nottingham Forest’s 18th place reflects difficulty scoring consistently and a leaky backline. According to the official Premier League table, Villa have collected more points in the first half of the season than Forest have managed in total (Premier League). But the 1-1 draw in April shows Forest can still raise their game against top opposition.

Is Nottingham Forest likely to be relegated?

Current league position and points

As of the most recent matchweek, Nottingham Forest sit 18th in the Premier League table (Premier League). That puts them in the relegation zone, but with several teams within a few points, survival is still mathematically possible. NBC Sports’ final table projection from earlier in the season placed Forest 16th with 44 points (NBC Sports) — suggesting they have the ability to climb.

Relegation odds and expert predictions

Bookmakers and analysts see Forest as likely to go down, but the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa provided a vital point. The relegation battle this season is unusually tight, with four or five clubs still in danger. According to Sky Sports analysts, Forest’s remaining fixtures include direct rivals, giving them a chance to leapfrog teams if they can string together wins (Sky Sports).

Fixtures and survival chances

Forest’s run-in features matches against teams around them in the table. Their ability to take points from mid-table sides like Aston Villa shows they have the quality to stay up. The key will be consistency — something they’ve lacked all season. The Athletic’s football writers have noted that Forest’s squad depth is thin compared to rivals (The Athletic).

The implication: Forest’s survival hinges on turning close performances — like the Villa draw — into actual wins against direct competitors.

Could Aston Villa win the Premier League?

Villa’s current form and position

Aston Villa are 3rd in the table as of late April 2026 (Premier League). They are firmly in the Champions League qualification spots and have shown title-winning form at times, including a run of five consecutive wins earlier in the season. However, the gap to league leaders Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City is significant.

Title contenders and points gap

While Villa are within striking distance mathematically, the points gap — estimated at around 8–10 points based on table projections — would require a near-perfect finish plus collapses from the top two. NBC Sports’ final table had Villa finishing 4th with 65 points (NBC Sports), well behind Liverpool and City.

Historical context and squad depth

Villa have not won the English top flight since 1981. Their current squad, managed by Unai Emery, is talented but lacks the depth of the traditional title contenders. Competing in the Europa League also stretches resources. Still, a top-four finish would be a major success and a platform for future title challenges.

Villa are credible title outsiders but not favourites. Their realistic aim is securing Champions League football and winning the Europa League.

Which team is Aston Villa’s biggest rival?

Traditional rivals: Birmingham City and others

Aston Villa’s most historic rivalry is with Birmingham City — the Second City derby. The two clubs have faced each other over 100 times, and the fixture is fiercely contested. Villa also have local rivalries with West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Historical enmity with Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest is not considered a primary rival for Aston Villa. The two clubs have a long competitive history but no deep-seated animosity. The rivalry is more about their shared Midlands location and occasional high-stakes matches, such as the 2026 Europa League semi-final.

Modern significance of rivalries

For Villa fans, the matches that matter most are against Birmingham City and local Premier League neighbours. The Forest fixture carries weight this season because of the contrasting league positions — a relegation-threatened team facing a European hopeful — but it lacks the historical edge of the Second City derby.

What are the current Premier League standings for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest?

Aston Villa’s standing and European qualification

Aston Villa sit 3rd in the Premier League as of the latest matchweek (Premier League). That position guarantees Champions League group-stage football next season. Villa are also in the Europa League semi-finals, giving them two paths to European glory.

Nottingham Forest’s relegation threat

Nottingham Forest are 18th, two points from safety (Premier League). Their goal difference is also worse than the teams above them. Survival will require a strong finish, but the draw against Villa showed they can compete.

Head-to-head in the table

The points gap between 3rd and 18th is substantial — roughly 30 points at this stage of the season. That gap underscores the different ambitions: Villa are fighting for titles, Forest are fighting for survival. Yet on the pitch, the recent 1-1 draw showed that league position doesn’t always dictate results.

Four key numbers from recent matches tell the story of this season’s encounters:

The pattern across these meetings reveals a competitive parity that defies the league table gap.

Note: Europa League result from 7 May 2026 is based on match reports and UEFA official data.

Timeline: Key moments in the 2025/26 season

• August 2025: Premier League season begins
• December 2025: First league meeting between the two sides this season
• 12 April 2026: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa at the City Ground
• 7 May 2026: Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest in Europa League semi-final first leg

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Quotes from the pitch

“The lads showed great character to come back from a goal down. That point could be vital come the end of the season.”

— Nottingham Forest manager, speaking after the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa (via Sky Sports)

“We dominated large parts of the game and should have taken all three points. But we’ll take the point and move on.”

— Aston Villa captain, post-match interview (via BBC Sport)

The contrast in reactions sums up the season: Forest celebrated a point that keeps their survival hopes alive; Villa felt they dropped two points in their push for Europe.

Summary: What this means for both clubs

For Aston Villa, the path is clear: secure a top-four finish and push for the Europa League title. A Champions League return would be a huge achievement and attract better players. For Nottingham Forest, the immediate priority is survival. The 1-1 draw against Villa shows they have the fight, but they need results against direct relegation rivals. Villa’s push for Europe and Forest’s fight for survival will both be decided in the final matchweeks.

Related reading: **K League 1 Standings 2026 – Current Table & Top Teams**

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