The live Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest standings show how these two clubs are performing, while the timeline shows their H2H performance.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest share a long and storied rivalry that has spanned more than a century in English football.
From early league encounters to modern Premier League battles, the fixture has consistently delivered drama, memorable goals, and shifting fortunes for both clubs.
In the early decades of the 20th century, both clubs competed regularly in the First Division, with Aston Villa establishing themselves as one of England’s dominant teams.
Villa’s lineups often included stars such as Clem Stephenson and Billy Walker, while Forest relied on players like Wally Hood and Bill Whare to maintain competitiveness.
Matches during this era were often tight, with H2H performance slightly favoring Aston Villa due to their consistent league success.
Attendance at Villa Park and the City Ground regularly exceeded 20,000, highlighting the growing interest in these fixtures.
- Key Players In The 1920s And 1930s:
- Aston Villa: Clem Stephenson, Billy Walker, Dicky York
- Nottingham Forest: Wally Hood, Bill Whare, Charlie Crickmore
The 1940s and 1950s saw both clubs recovering from wartime disruptions.
Aston Villa continued to perform well in league competitions, while Nottingham Forest rebuilt under new management, creating a competitive environment for league and cup matches.
H2H performance in this period remained relatively balanced, with Aston Villa often edging Forest at home but facing stiff challenges at the City Ground.
Forest’s tactical approach focused on disciplined defending, while Villa emphasized attacking football and midfield control.
- Key Players In The 1940s And 1950s:
- Aston Villa: Peter McParland, Jimmy Dugdale, Stan Lynn
- Nottingham Forest: Roy Dwight, Tommy Lowes, Bill Whare
The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of evolution for both clubs.
Aston Villa won the league title in 1960–61, boasting a squad featuring greats like Tony Hateley and Alan Deakin.
Nottingham Forest, prior to Brian Clough’s arrival, had mixed league performances but began building the foundations of future success.
H2H fixtures during this era often saw Villa dominate home games, while Forest occasionally took advantage of cup ties to secure notable victories.
Attendance peaked at around 35,000 for marquee fixtures, reflecting the enduring appeal of these encounters.
- Key Players In The 1960s And 1970s:
- Aston Villa: Tony Hateley, Alan Deakin, Bobby Thomson
- Nottingham Forest: John McGovern, Peter Grummitt, Bob McKinlay
The late 1970s and 1980s were a golden period for Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough.
Forest won consecutive European Cups in 1979 and 1980, establishing themselves as one of Europe’s elite sides.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, claimed the league title in 1981 and the European Cup in 1982, creating high-stakes, thrilling H2H encounters between the two clubs.
These decades highlighted tactical mastery, with Forest’s disciplined defensive structure often clashing with Villa’s attacking flair.
- Key Players In The 1970s And 1980s:
- Aston Villa: Peter Withe, Gary Shaw, Dennis Mortimer
- Nottingham Forest: Peter Shilton, John Robertson, Trevor Francis
The 1990s and early 2000s saw fluctuations in form for both clubs.
Villa maintained stability in the Premier League era, while Forest experienced relegations and promotions, impacting H2H results.
Ever-changing squads saw Villa rely on players like Dwight Yorke and Gareth Southgate, while Forest fielded talents such as Andy Reid and Des Walker.
H2H performance during this period generally favored Villa, reflecting Forest’s intermittent struggles in the top flight.
- Key Players In The 1990s And Early 2000s:
- Aston Villa: Dwight Yorke, Gareth Southgate, Paul Merson
- Nottingham Forest: Andy Reid, Des Walker, Alan Rogers
The 2010s were marked by Premier League stability for Villa and Forest’s prolonged Championship campaigns.
H2H encounters were limited to cup fixtures and occasional league promotions, but each match remained fiercely contested, with fans anticipating close battles.
Modern Villa squads have featured Jack Grealish, Tyrone Mings, and Ollie Watkins, while Forest relied on Brennan Johnson, Joe Worrall, and Scott McKenna in their resurgence to the Premier League.
Attendance at modern fixtures averages around 30,000, emphasizing the fixture’s enduring appeal despite changes in league status.
- Key Players In The 2010s And 2020s:
- Aston Villa: Jack Grealish, Tyrone Mings, Ollie Watkins
- Nottingham Forest: Brennan Johnson, Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna
Current standings reflect Aston Villa’s strong form in the Premier League.
Villa sit third with 43 points from 22 matches, having scored 33 goals and conceded 25, showing a positive goal difference of 8.
Nottingham Forest occupy 17th place with 22 points, having scored 21 goals and conceded 34, giving them a -13 goal difference and a struggle to avoid relegation.
H2H performance over the decades generally favors Aston Villa, who have historically secured more wins across league and cup competitions, though Nottingham Forest has produced crucial victories in landmark matches.
- H2H Highlights:
- Aston Villa holds a clear lead in total wins
- Nottingham Forest’s European success and strong defensive tactics occasionally turned results in their favor
- Cup fixtures often produced dramatic and unpredictable outcomes
- Both clubs have experienced fluctuating periods of dominance depending on form, management, and squad strength
The Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest fixture remains one of English football’s historic clashes, combining decades of rivalry, notable H2H results, and memorable contributions from generations of players.
