Aston Villa have confirmed their starting XI to face Nottingham Forest at Villa Park this afternoon.
Unai Emery has kept faith with youngster George Hemmings, who starts again in midfield following his recent opportunity in the first team.
There is also a major absence for Villa, with Matty Cash not included in either the starting XI or among the substitutes.
Cash had been a fitness doubt after missing Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Club Brugge with muscular discomfort.
Read Aston Villa reported on Cash’s injury ahead of the Forest clash, and his omission confirms Emery will once again have to cope without the Poland international.
Aston Villa confirmed XI vs Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa: Suzuki; Lindelof, Barkley, McGinn, Kamara, Buendia, Jackson, Pau Torres, Maatsen, Wan-Bissaka, Hemmings.
Substitutes: Bizot, Mings, Ruggeri, Garnacho, Abraham, Mbaye, Bogarde, Manzambi, Alysson.
The Premier League fixture kicks off at 3pm at Villa Park. (premierleague.com)
George Hemmings handed another Aston Villa chance
Hemmings’ inclusion is arguably Emery’s most interesting selection decision.
The academy midfielder had already put himself firmly into the first-team conversation, and we looked at the decision facing Emery over Hemmings against Nottingham Forest.
Emery has now given his answer.
Hemmings starts alongside experienced players including John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara as Villa look for a positive Premier League result after their midweek European victory.
Ian Maatsen and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also included, while Nicolas Jackson continues in attack after scoring against Club Brugge.
Johan Manzambi returns to Aston Villa squad
There is positive injury news on the bench.
Johan Manzambi is included among Villa’s substitutes after his recent fitness concern.
His return gives Emery another midfield option alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Tammy Abraham and Ibrahim Mbaye.
Cash’s absence, however, remains significant.
Our full Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest team-news guide had the defender as one of the major doubts before kick-off.
Villa will now attempt to get the job done without him.
