The division’s rock-bottom side Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday night.
Despite slumping to a fifth consecutive defeat against Leicester City last Monday, Steve Cooper had his position as Forest manager strengthened by a fresh contract renewal.
Steven Gerrard steadied his own footing at the helm of Villa with a return of five points from their previous three outings – though he lamented the “missed opportunity” to earn a win against the ten-men of Leeds United last weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the meeting between two clubs led by a pairing that shared five years together at Liverpool.
Where can you watch Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Highlights?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Nottingham Forest: 1 Win
Aston Villa: 3 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Nottingham Forest: LLLLL
Aston Villa: LLDWD
Nottingham Forest team news
Moussa Niakhate limped off during Forest’s second game of the season with a thigh injury that has sidelined him since. However, the burly centre-back was spotted back in training ahead of Villa’s visit.
Omar Richards is not quite at the same stage of his recovery from a hairline fracture of the leg. The summer arrival from Bayern Munich is back on the grass but hasn’t joined up with his teammates yet.
In search of an end to their losing streak, Cooper lined up with a back-four for the first time this season against Leicester – it didn’t quite pay off.
Nottingham Forest Starting 11 (3-4-1-2): Henderson; Worral, Cook, Niakhate; Williams, Kouyate, O’Brien, Lodi; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Awoniyi.
Bench: Hennessey, Mangala, Surridge, Yates, Freuler, Aurier, Dennis, Boly, McKenna.
Aston Villa team news
Alongside long-term absentees Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara, Villa are set to be without both left-backs Ludwig Augustinsson (hamstring) and Lucas Digne (heel) for the coming weeks.
Matty Cash is available once again but doubts linger over Calum Chambers and Leon Bailey – though both have a chance of playing some role.
Aston Villa Starting 11 (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Young; Ramsey, Luiz, McGinn; Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.
Bench: Olsen, Sanson, Ings, Nakamba, Bednarek, Dendoncker, Archer, Bailey, Chambers.
Neither side has been particularly prolific this campaign; Forest have drawn a blank in half of their top-flight games while the title of Villa’s top scorer is split between six players on just one goal.
However, Forest give up chances like few other sides in the division – no team has conceded more shots on target this term – offering Gerrard’s blunt but tentatively resurgent outfit the chance to continue their rise.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Aston Villa
