Andy Madley will referee Aston Villa’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side return to domestic action after opening their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge.
Villa host Forest at 3pm BST on Saturday 12 September, with the game not being broadcast live in the UK because it falls inside the traditional Saturday afternoon blackout.
The Premier League has now confirmed its Matchweek Four officials, with Madley appointed to take charge at Villa Park.
Who is the referee for Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest?
Andy Madley will be the referee.
The complete officiating team is:
- Referee: Andy Madley
- Assistant referees: Constantine Hatzidakis and Richard West
- Fourth official: Oliver Langford
- VAR: Tim Wood
- Assistant VAR: Will Finnie
The appointment gives Villa a familiar referee.
Madley took charge of four Aston Villa Premier League matches last season, with Emery’s team unbeaten across all four.
Those games included a 3-1 home victory over Fulham, the remarkable 4-3 win at Brighton, a goalless draw at Crystal Palace and the 2-1 final-day victory away to Manchester City. Referee records confirm Madley handled each of those fixtures.
Villa therefore recorded three wins and one draw in Premier League matches refereed by Madley during 2025/26.
His first Premier League appointment of the new season came when Manchester City won 4-1 at Crystal Palace, where he showed three yellow cards.
Tim Wood on VAR at Villa Park
Tim Wood will oversee VAR for Saturday’s fixture, with Will Finnie serving as assistant VAR.
The technology could be particularly topical after Forest’s previous game.
Neco Williams thought he had scored the winner against Tottenham on Saturday before the goal was overturned for handball following a VAR review.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner subsequently criticised the intervention, arguing that the available footage did not provide sufficiently clear evidence to overturn the on-field decision. A different camera angle later supported the handball decision, although that view was reportedly unavailable to VAR during the match.
Forest ultimately drew 0-0.
Villa will now attempt to secure their first Premier League victory of the season after the confidence boost provided by Tuesday’s win in Belgium.
Supporters can find the broadcast details in our Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest TV channel and kick-off guide.
The full Aston Villa 2026/27 fixture list also shows Tottenham away as Villa’s next league match after Forest.
