Buy Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the Premier League meeting at the City Ground set for Saturday 20 March 2027 in the provisional 15:00 UK kick-off slot. It falls on Matchday 30 of the Premier League calendar. Broadcast selections are confirmed a few weeks ahead, so the day and time can still move within that weekend.
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Few fixtures on Forest's calendar carry this much recent history. The clubs met in last season's Europa League semi-final, Villa went on to lift the trophy and Forest then won 2-1 at Villa Park in September 2026. Supporters planning a season of Nottingham Forest tickets will see this as one of the toughest spring dates to secure.
The City Ground holds around 31,000 and runs close to full every week, so supply is tight before the visitors' following is even counted. This guide covers prices, where to sit, how the club's membership system works and how every Premier League meeting at the City Ground has played out.
The European connection is the first driver. Forest won the first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League semi-final 1-0 at the City Ground, before Villa turned the tie around and went on to beat Freiburg 3-0 in the final in May 2026, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy. That tie gave a regional fixture a new edge that both sets of supporters will carry into March.
The visitors add their own pull. Supporters following Aston Villa have one of the shortest away trips of their season, with Birmingham barely an hour from Nottingham by road or rail. Villa's away allocation for this fixture is likely to be in strong demand, with supporters who miss out often looking for seats elsewhere in the ground.
Villa are also in the Champions League this season as Europa League holders, with league-phase nights such as Aston Villa vs Fenerbahçe in October. European football raises the profile of every Villa away day. Premier League kick-offs often move around midweek European games, which is another reason the exact slot is confirmed late.
The first meeting of the season went Forest's way. A 2-1 win at Villa Park on 12 September 2026 means the home crowd arrives in March with the bragging rights, while Villa will be looking to settle the score.
Nottingham is also an easy trip for visitors. The City Ground sits on the bank of the River Trent, a walk from the city centre and the railway station, which makes it one of the more appealing away days and a popular choice for neutral fans.
Both clubs also carry European heritage that gives the fixture weight beyond the league table. Forest won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. Villa lifted it in 1982, making this a meeting of two of the few English clubs to have won Europe's top club competition. Villa's 2026 Europa League win has added a new chapter to that story.
Rarely through the club. Forest sell home tickets to season ticket holders and members first. With the ground running close to capacity for most Premier League fixtures, very little reaches general sale. For a match with this much demand, it is unlikely that any tickets will be released to non-members at all.
Membership builds a purchase history that helps in later sale phases and for away allocations, which rewards regular attendance. Occasional visitors and supporters from abroad are unlikely to have enough of that history to compete for a seat through the club.
The away allocation follows a separate path. Villa sell their allocation for the City Ground through their own ticket office, so it is not available through Forest at all. Villa supporters without a ticketing history with their own club will find the away section hard to reach.
For international fans, neutrals and anyone without a membership, a verified resale marketplace is the practical alternative. You pick the stand, see the price before committing and can request seats together without waiting on a sale window.
Villa supporters buying on the resale market should remember that most listings sit in home areas. Keep claret and blue colours hidden in those sections and avoid celebrating a goal for the visitors among home fans.
Resale prices for this match depend on five things: seat location, overall demand, how close the fixture is, the competition context in the 2026/27 run-in and whether you want hospitality. The City Ground is one of the smaller grounds in the Premier League, so supply is tight for every fixture. A visit from the Europa League holders, with last season's semi-final still fresh, sits towards the upper end of Forest's pricing.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Taylor Stand wings | £70 – £120 | Lower-priced entry | Long side opposite the main stand, towards the corners |
| Peter Taylor Stand central | £75 – £130 | Better-value side view | Halfway-line view opposite the main stand |
| Trent End | £85 – £150 | Atmosphere and singing | Behind the goal by the river, home of the loudest Forest support |
| Brian Clough Stand central | £100 – £190+ | Premium sightlines | Main stand with the halfway-line seats |
| Hospitality and VIP | £250 – £550+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Lounges and executive boxes in the Brian Clough Stand |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Two moments tend to move this market. The first is the confirmation of the broadcast slot, which brings in buyers who were waiting to book travel. The second is the closing of the member sale phases, when supporters who missed out turn to resale in the same week.
For context, this fixture sits below the visits of Liverpool, Arsenal and the Manchester clubs in resale pricing. It sits above a typical mid-table visit because of last season's European semi-final and the short trip for the Villa support, so expect pricing in the upper half of the City Ground's range.
Group size matters at a ground this small. Pairs are easier to find than blocks of four or more together, which are scarce for a fixture that sells out. If you are travelling as a group, search early and be flexible on the stand.
The City Ground has four stands, all close to the pitch: the Brian Clough Stand along the main side, the Peter Taylor Stand opposite, the Trent End behind one goal and the Bridgford Stand behind the other. The City Ground seating plan shows the tiers and blocks in each.
Forest have plans to rebuild the Peter Taylor Stand as part of a long-term expansion, but Football Ground Guide reported in June 2026 that major construction is unlikely before summer 2027. That means the ground's layout and capacity should be unchanged for this fixture.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trent End | Forest fans who want to sing for 90 minutes | Mid | The loudest part of the ground, rebuilt in the 1990s |
| Peter Taylor Stand wings | Budget buyers | Lower | Side view towards the corners at a lower price |
| Peter Taylor Stand central | Neutrals and families | Mid | Side-on view of the whole pitch with a calmer feel |
| Brian Clough Stand upper | Fans who want an elevated view | Mid to upper | High vantage point over the pitch |
| Brian Clough Stand central | Premium buyers | Upper | Halfway-line seats with access to the hospitality areas |
| Away section, Bridgford Stand | Aston Villa supporters | Lower | Visiting supporters are housed in the Bridgford Stand with their own turnstiles; tickets are sold through Villa |
Neutral buyers and undecided fans should aim for the Peter Taylor Stand, which gives a clear view with a calmer feel. Avoid the Trent End if you plan to support the visitors. For travel, gate times and stadium rules, the City Ground guide covers the full matchday routine.
Supporters with access requirements should contact the club before buying to confirm accessible positions. Families with young children will find the Peter Taylor Stand the most comfortable mix of view and atmosphere.
The compact layout works in your favour wherever you sit. There is no running track and every stand sits close to the action, so the choice comes down to whether you want the noise of the Trent End, the elevated view of the main stand or a calmer seat on the far side.
The Trent End was rebuilt in the mid-1990s, when the City Ground hosted matches at Euro 96. It remains the most modern stand in the ground. The older Peter Taylor Stand on the far side is the one earmarked for future redevelopment, so this season may be among the last to see the ground in its current shape.
The stand names carry the club's history. The Brian Clough Stand and the Peter Taylor Stand honour the manager and assistant who took Forest from the second tier to two European Cups. A seat in either puts you alongside that story on matchday.
Hospitality at the City Ground runs through the Brian Clough Stand, where the lounges and executive boxes sit along the halfway line. With a small capacity and high demand, premium seats for a fixture like this are among the first parts of the market to tighten.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Premium seat, Brian Clough Stand | Couples and small groups marking an occasion | Padded halfway-line seat with a clear view of the pitch |
| Lounge package | Business guests on a moderate budget | Pre-match dining and half-time refreshments in a shared lounge |
| Executive box | Companies hosting clients | Private space with dedicated service along the halfway line |
| Seasonal hospitality | Companies planning for the whole season | Seats and lounge access for every home league match |
Hospitality for a fixture with this much demand moves quickly, so book well before March. Listings vary in what they include, so read the notes and confirm the lounge, dining and drinks before you buy.
A hospitality package also avoids the busiest queues on the riverbank before kick-off. On a sell-out afternoon that is a real convenience, especially for visitors who do not know the ground.
On the day, arrive early enough to make full use of the pre-match lounge service. The riverside setting makes the walk to the ground part of the experience. A hospitality guest can enjoy it without worrying about the crush at the general turnstiles.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile e-ticket | The app or platform used and when the transfer will arrive |
| Ticket forwarded to a member account | Whether you need to set up a club account to receive it and the deadline for doing so |
| PDF e-ticket | Whether a printout or phone screen is accepted at the turnstile |
| In-person handover in Nottingham | The exact meeting point, time and contact number, agreed well before you travel |
Read the listing notes carefully and bring photo ID in case stewards ask for it. If your ticket is mobile, charge your phone fully before leaving and download the ticket in advance, since signal around a full ground can be patchy.
Digital tickets are now standard at the City Ground. For visiting supporters in 2026, tickets were emailed several days before kick-off, so a resale listing that promises delivery in the final days before the match is normal rather than a warning sign.
The City Ground sits on the south bank of the Trent in West Bridgford, around 1.4 miles from Nottingham railway station, a walk of about 25 minutes. Buses run towards the ground but are congested on matchdays. There is no supporter parking at the stadium.
Only bags of A4 size or smaller are allowed. Everyone is searched on entry. Arriving 45 minutes before kick-off gives you time to clear security and find your seat before the teams come out.
After the final whistle, Trent Bridge and the roads back into the city fill quickly. Most supporters walk back to the centre or the station, which takes around 25 minutes and is usually quicker than waiting for a bus. Visiting supporters may be held briefly while the home crowd disperses.
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Step1
Find the fixture
Search for Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa on 1BoxOffice and open the Premier League listing for Saturday 20 March 2027 at the City Ground.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with your full name and a mobile number you can use on matchday.
Step3
Filter by stand
Narrow the results to the Trent End, Bridgford Stand, Peter Taylor Stand or Brian Clough Stand depending on whether you want atmosphere, value or a central view.
Step4
Compare listings
Look at the block, the price per seat and the seller's notes on delivery before you pick a listing.
Step5
Choose your quantity
Select how many seats you need and confirm the listing offers them together if you are travelling as a group.
Step6
Add attendee details
Enter each spectator's full name exactly as it appears on their ID so the order is set up correctly.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment through the encrypted payment page and keep your confirmation email for reference.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to see delivery progress and download your tickets once they are released before the match.
East Midlands Airport is the nearest airport to Nottingham, while Birmingham and Manchester offer far more international routes with onward rail links. 1BoxOffice delivers to overseas buyers through mobile, PDF or arranged in-person handover in the city. If you are travelling as a group, request seats together at the point of purchase rather than hoping to swap on the day.
The listed date can still move within the Matchday 30 weekend, so book flexible trains or a refundable hotel until the broadcast slot is confirmed. A move to Sunday or an evening kick-off changes the return options, especially for supporters travelling from outside the Midlands.
Most visitors stay in the city centre, within walking distance of both the station and the ground. Villa supporters who want to see their own side at home on another trip can plan around matches at Villa Park, where Forest won 2-1 earlier this season.
Nottingham rewards a longer stay. The city centre has Nottingham Castle, the old pubs around the Lace Market and a wide choice of restaurants, while the Trent Bridge cricket ground sits next door to the City Ground. A Saturday kick-off leaves the evening free for the city.
Nottingham is also well connected for visitors from further afield. Direct trains reach London in under two hours. Birmingham is around an hour away, so a weekend in the city can easily start or end elsewhere in England. Book advance fares early, since trains around a Premier League Saturday fill up quickly.
The Premier League story of this fixture at the City Ground began in 1992/93, the season Forest were relegated, when Villa won 1-0 in April 1993. Villa won again in January 1995, but the City Ground then became a hard place for them to win. Draws followed in 1995, 1997 and 1998 before Forest dropped out of the top flight in 1999.
The fixture returned after Forest's promotion in 2022, nearly 24 years after the last Premier League meeting in Nottingham. A 1-1 draw in October 2022 was followed by Forest's first Premier League home win over Villa, 2-0 in November 2023. A 2-1 win in December 2024. The most recent league meeting at the ground ended 1-1 in April 2026.
Villa have not won a Premier League match at the City Ground since January 1995. Forest are unbeaten in seven straight league meetings here. That run, along with last season's Europa League semi-final, gives this fixture a sharper edge than its history alone would suggest.
The Europa League semi-final of 2025/26 sits outside the figures below, but it shapes how both sets of supporters see this fixture. Forest won the first leg 1-0 at the City Ground before Villa recovered to reach the final, so the home crowd has recent proof that it can beat this opponent here, while Villa remember how the tie ended.
What sets this fixture apart is how tight it has been. Five of the nine meetings here have ended level. None has been won by more than two goals. For a buyer, that means a genuine contest is close to guaranteed, whichever side you support.
The figures below cover every Premier League meeting between the sides at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest as hosts, from the first in April 1993 to the most recent in April 2026.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 9 |
| Nottingham Forest wins | 2 |
| Aston Villa wins | 2 |
| Draws | 5 |
| Nottingham Forest goals | 10 |
| Aston Villa goals | 9 |
| Biggest Nottingham Forest win | 2-0 (5 Nov 2023) |
| Biggest Aston Villa win | 0-1 (4 Apr 1993) and 1-2 (21 Jan 1995) |
| First Premier League meeting in scope | 4 Apr 1993 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 12 Apr 2026 |
Source: Transfermarkt and StatMuse match records, compared result by result. Europa League and pre-1992 league meetings are not included.
| Date | Score |
|---|---|
| 12 Apr 2026 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa |
| 14 Dec 2024 | Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa |
| 05 Nov 2023 | Nottingham Forest 2-0 Aston Villa |
| 10 Oct 2022 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa |
| 28 Nov 1998 | Nottingham Forest 2-2 Aston Villa |
| 22 Feb 1997 | Nottingham Forest 0-0 Aston Villa |
| 10 Dec 1995 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa |
| 21 Jan 1995 | Nottingham Forest 1-2 Aston Villa |
| 04 Apr 1993 | Nottingham Forest 0-1 Aston Villa |
Source: Transfermarkt and StatMuse, with every score confirmed in both.
Visiting supporters are housed in the Bridgford Stand with their own turnstiles. Their tickets are sold through Villa rather than Forest.
Autumn and early winter usually bring the widest choice, before the broadcast slot is fixed and the member sales close.
Nothing larger than A4. Leave larger luggage at your hotel, as suitcases are refused at the gates.
Walk south across Trent Bridge, a journey of around 25 minutes. Buses run towards the ground but are slow on matchdays.
Yes, filter listings by quantity and choose one that states the seats are adjacent. Larger blocks are easiest to find in the Peter Taylor Stand.
Sources: Nottingham Forest official ticketing information, Premier League 2026/27 fixture list, Transfermarkt and StatMuse match records, Premier League reporting on the 2026 Europa League final, Wolverhampton Wanderers away supporter information, Football Ground Guide reporting on the City Ground redevelopment.