Aston Villa are back in action on Saturday afternoon as Unai Emery’s side look to re-build their home form against Nottingham Forest, in what could be a significant test of John McGinn’s adaptability.
After beating Fulham at Craven Cottage last week, Aston Villa will be looking to secure another three points on Saturday as Nottingham Forest visit Villa Park.
It will be far from easy for Unai Emery’s side, who were defeated at the City Ground back in November when the two sides last met.
Still, the Spaniard’s squad must look to build some form after experiencing a rough patch, with the race for the top four heating up with 13 games to go.
How Nottingham Forest could threaten Aston Villa
With away trips to Arsenal and Manchester City and fixtures against Spurs and Liverpool still to come, the Villans must avoid tripping up against teams further down in the table.
Emery will hope his side will have learned from their mistakes against Forest earlier in the season, particularly now that the Reds have a new manager in charge.
It was Steve Cooper’s side that beat Villa 2-0 in the Midlands clash back in November, but it will be Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad that travels to Villa Park on Saturday.
One of the key differences between the two managers’ setups at Forest is the positioning of Morgan Gibbs-White, who assumes the number ten role under Nuno, and drifted to the flank under Cooper.
By fielding the Wolves academy graduate in the middle, the Reds’ threat immediately grows in the central area, not helped by the rising form of midfielder Nicolas Dominguez.
Why John McGinn must be at his best against Nottingham Forest
In his last six Premier League games, the Argentine has scored twice and assisted once from deep midfield, giving John McGinn a task to battle on Saturday.
The Scotsman was utilised in midfield against Fulham to cover for the absent Boubacar Kamara, whose season-ending injury has left a significant void in Emery’s XI.
McGinn impressed at Craven Cottage in partnering Douglas Luiz in the engine room, however, Forest’s creative duo could pose a greater test.
Averaging 1.7 key passes per game, no Forest player dictates the attack as well as Gibbs-White, who is a nuisance to the opposition in the central role.
If the “terrific” Villa captain, as he was once lauded by Steven Gerrard, can snuff out the danger caused by the central channel, Nuno’s front line may be left restricted.
Winning seven out of his 11 ground duels against Fulham, the 29-year-old showcased his combative edge to balance the midfield, a feat he must replicate to ensure Saturday’s contest goes the way the hosts require it to.
