Both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are on the rise, having secured spots in the Premier League’s top six.
As they look to the future, the clubs are dreaming big—Forest of potential European nights, and Villa of staying in the upper echelons of English football.
Both teams have come a long way, but for sustained success, they’ll need to focus on their off-field decisions just as much as their performances on the pitch.
A Competitive Rivalry Between Two Midlands Giants
While Nottingham Forest may watch Aston Villa with envy as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Villa isn’t without its own moments of jealousy.
Forest’s strong position in the Premier League has them on the cusp of securing a European spot, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team sitting comfortably in third.
Although Villa beat Forest 2-1 in their latest clash, the six-point gap between the two clubs highlights how both teams are striving for more.
But in order for these clubs to consistently challenge for the top spots, there are bigger questions to answer, particularly surrounding their stadiums and financial strategies.
Stadium Upgrades and Financial Challenges
Both Villa and Forest know that their matchday revenue won’t carry them forward indefinitely. Villa Park, a stadium that’s already buzzing with energy this season, is at the center of Villa’s plans to expand.
Under the leadership of former CEO Christian Purslow, Villa had ambitions to increase their stadium’s capacity to over 50,000.
However, the idea of reducing the capacity to 36,000 for a couple of seasons didn’t sit well with manager Unai Emery, who feared it could disrupt home advantage.
Now, the plan is to expand in stages, focusing on fan zones, hospitality, and club shops, but even these smaller-scale improvements will only provide a moderate boost to the club’s financial power.
At the same time, Villa’s reliance on player sales, like the potential £100 million they could make by selling Morgan Rogers, makes the transfer market an area of constant concern.
Finding a replacement who can make the same impact is a difficult task, and this strategy could eventually catch up with them.
Forest’s Ambitions and Stadium Hurdles
Nottingham Forest faces a similar challenge. Owner Evangelos Marinakis has already begun looking to Brazil, where he plans to invest in a lower-division club and establish an academy to tap into one of the world’s most competitive football markets.
However, Forest’s current stadium, the City Ground, only holds around 30,000 fans, which limits their ability to reach the heights Marinakis envisions.
Marinakis has openly discussed his vision for Forest’s future, including expanding the stadium to 50,000 seats to accommodate their large fanbase and meet the growing demand for season tickets.
The goal is to create a top-tier stadium for Nottingham, one that rivals the best in England.
Forest is hopeful to begin construction in the summer of 2026, but there are still hurdles to overcome.
One of those challenges could involve relocating to a new stadium, a controversial move that fans may not welcome initially.
Long-Term Goals Amid Short-Term Successes
While Villa and Forest work on their stadiums, both clubs are already focused on securing their long-term futures in the Premier League.
Villa’s investment in one of the world’s top coaches, Unai Emery, has paid off, with the team competing for silverware across multiple competitions.
They are firmly in the hunt for top positions, and Emery’s high salary reflects the club’s commitment to success.
For Forest, surviving their first season after promotion was the main priority.
However, they’ve made shrewd signings like Murillo, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nikola Milenkovic, and Anthony Elanga, which have paid off handsomely.
Their ability to improve without breaking the bank is a testament to their resourcefulness.
The Road Ahead for Villa and Forest
As both clubs look ahead, they are focused on their growth, improving their squads, and continuing to perform on matchdays.
For Villa, the dream is to challenge the biggest clubs in Europe, while for Forest, it’s about making their mark in the Premier League and, eventually, in Europe.
Both teams are aware that their journey requires more than just success on the pitch—it’s about building from a position of strength both financially and structurally.
As these Midlands giants continue to rise, they will face plenty of challenges, but their ambitions are clear.
With smart decisions both on and off the field, Villa and Forest could be well on their way to becoming mainstays in European competitions in the coming years.
