Football Insider has called on Unai Emery to hand Tammy Abraham his first Premier League start of the season when Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Saturday. The publication argues that the forward's previous record against Forest makes him the obvious choice to lead the line.
Abraham has featured only as a substitute in the top flight so far during the 2026-27 campaign. According to Football Insider, the 28-year-old has scored five goals and registered one assist across five career appearances against Forest, a run the outlet believes warrants a place in the starting eleven.
Villa are still searching for their first Premier League goal of the season after failing to find the net in any of their domestic league matches so far. The midweek Champions League victory over Club Brugge, which ended 3-2, provided some attacking relief, but the league form remains a concern heading into the weekend.
Emery's side hold a strong recent record against Forest in all competitions, having won three of their past five encounters while losing only once. At Villa Park specifically, the advantage is even more pronounced: Villa have won their last five home meetings with Forest and have not suffered a defeat against them there since 1994.
Forest arrive without a Premier League win of their own this term, making Saturday's fixture one both clubs will view as an opportunity to get their domestic campaigns moving. Football Insider suggests recalling Abraham is the most logical step for a Villa attack that has struggled for output in the league so far.
