Unai Emery is hopeful that Aston Villa's victory in the Champions League against Club Brugge will give his team the confidence to turn their Premier League form around. 

Villa began their European campaign with a 3-2 victory at Jan Breydelstadion, with John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and Nicolas Jackson all on target in the opening 45 minutes.

It was the first time Villa had scored three first-half goals in any away match in all competitions since February 2024, against Sheffield United in the Premier League. 

The Villans have now won 18 of their 28 matches in the Champions League or European Cup, but they have failed to win any of their first three league matches so far. 

Along with Tottenham and Coventry City, Villa are also yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League, leaving them in 17th before hosting Nottingham Forest next.

But ahead of Saturday's clash at Villa Park, Emery believes his team are heading in the right direction, and he is confident that results will come sooner rather than later. 

"Of course, it's very important for this Champions League to start with those three points," Emery said. "Hopefully, it gives us confidence for the next matches in the league.

"Saturday against Nottingham Forest, then Carabao Cup, then Tottenham. Nicolas Jackson, an important [goal] for him.

"Progressively getting minutes with some players, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, after the injury for [Matty] Cash it was very important, but he was so tired.

"Again, a good match played by [George] Hemmings. Again he is improving. We must try to add more players, new players to this structure, this demand and this process we are."

Forest, meanwhile, have also struggled so far in the Premier League. They are one point clear of Villa, with two on the board from their first three games. 

After an opening-day defeat to Leeds United, back-to-back draws with Liverpool and Tottenham have followed, though the latter did not come without controversy. 

Neco Williams thought he had scored the winner when he bundled home in the 66th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for a handball against the Wales international. 

Oliver Glasner believed the goal should have stood, but he was not willing to speak about the result, telling reporters: "There's no point talking about it now. The focus is on Villa."

The Forest boss also backed Villa to find form in the coming weeks, describing Emery as a "top coach" that has overseen a hectic period during the summer transfer window. 

"I've watched all their games so far this season and the game against Club Brugge," Glasner said of Villa. "They've had many transfer activities, mainly in the attacking areas.

"They have replaced a lot of the attacking players, and they have some very good young players. It's a top squad and Unai Emery is a top coach."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Aston Villa – Nicolas Jackson

After getting off the mark for his new club in the Champions League in midweek, making it three goals and two assists in three starts in the competition overall, Jackson will be hoping he can translate that performance into the Premier League.

Only Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga (17) and Arsenal's Kai Havertz (15) made more off-ball runs in behind on MD3 of the Premier League than Jackson (13).

Nottingham Forest – James McAtee 

Only Morgan Rogers (nine) has created more chances from open play in the Premier League this season than McAtee (eight). 

McAtee's five chances created last time out against Tottenham was also the joint-most by a player in a game this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN

Villa have won each of their last six Premier League home games against Forest. The only side they have won seven in a row against at home in the competition are the Tricky Trees' rivals Derby County from 1996 to 2007.

However, Emery's side are yet to win (D1 L2) or score in the Premier League so far this season. No team has failed to score in their opening four games of a campaign in successive seasons in England's top four tiers, with Villa having done so in 2025-26.

The Villans' notable struggles at the top end of the pitch are evident. They rank 19th for expected goals (2.6), 18th for touches in the opposition's box (45) and 16th for xG per shot (0.1) in the Premier League so far this season.

Forest, however, have lost nine of their 18 Premier League games against Villa (W3 D6), only losing 10+ times against four sides in the competition: Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle United (all 11).

Only Bournemouth (12), Brentford and Leeds (both 11) have drawn more Premier League games in 2026 than Forest (10), while only Andoni Iraola (33) has overseen more draws than Forest boss Glasner since arriving in the competition in February 2024 (31).

But Forest will be hoping Glasner can get the better of his opposite number again. The Austrian never lost to Emery's Villa side as Crystal Palace manager in the Premier League (P5 W3 D2). It’s the joint-most he's faced a particular club without defeat (also five against Wolves). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Aston Villa – 44.8%

Draw – 26%

Nottingham Forest – 29.2%