Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

He has elected to name an unchanged side after the 3-1 win over Luton Town last time out. Jhon Duran is missing from the matchday squad for consecutive Premier League games due to a toe infection, while Alex Moreno features on the bench.

Villa have the opportunity to break into the top four today after Arsenal lost 1-0 against Newcastle United at St. James' Park last night. They come into this afternoon's clash with Forest on the back off three wins in all competitions.

Villa are unbeaten in nine Premier League games against Forest since a 2-0 home defeat in October 1994. The Reds are winless in their last six league games under Steve Cooper and lost 3-0 at Liverpool last time out.

From back to front, Emi Martinez starts in goal behind a defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne. In midfield, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara continue in the double pivot.

Nicolo Zaniolo will operate from the left and John McGinn from the right as Moussa Diaby supports Ollie Watkins in attack.

Aston Villa XI vs Nottingham Forest: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Luiz; McGinn, Zaniolo; Diaby, Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Carlos, Chambers, Lenglet, Dendoncker, Tielemans, Moreno, Troare, Bailey.

Nottingham Forest starting XI vs Aston Villa: Odysseas, Aina, Murillo, Niakhate, Toffolo, Mangala, Sangare, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Awoniyi.

Subs: Turner, Nuno, Williams, Kouyate, Santos, Yates, Aurier, Danilo, Boly.