He may not be playing today, but Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner's move to Nottingham Forest caught the attention of football fans around the world.

What did you make of the move - do you think 'Lord Bendtner' will be a success at Forest and show his true potential, or will he be struggling to find any sponsors for his boxers come the end of the season?

Let us know your views via #bbcfootball on Twitter. Former England midfielder Steve Hodge has likened him to everyone's favourite Mario...

Image source, Empics

The summer of 2016 has been one of widespread change at Aston Villa, with the club under new ownership, playing in a very unfamiliar division, with a new manager and a new technical director.

Big-money summer signings including Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia arrived, while the high-profile departures included Joleon Lescott joining AEK Athens.

But this week saw one of the most poignant changes, as the club parted company with former midfielder Gordon Cowans, a key member of their 1981 title-winning and 1982 European Cup-winning sides.

Cowans, 57, who had spent the last 18 years working for the club's academy after having three spells at Villa as a player, said: "All good things must come to an end some day."

Steve Hodge
Former England, Forest and Villa midfielder on BBC Radio Nottingham

"I don’t think last year was a surprise to too many people, as they would have seen Aston Villa’s relegation coming for a few years.

"They find themselves in unfamiliar territory now, where Forest have been for too many years.

"Villa have been up and down so far and the locals will not be happy with how they have started their season.

"Forest can come here in a positive frame of mind after the win against Leeds, which was superb. 

"I wouldn’t come here and batten down the hatches and play defensively. We have seen Forest this year and that won’t be the case, they will come out and attack and that is the way to go about things."

As ever, local radio commentary teams from BBC WM and BBC Radio Nottingham are in place to bring you the action from Villa Park.

Unfortunately, rights restrictions mean that we can't bring you those commentaries online, but you can of course tune your radio in to listen to the games in your area.

Forest are without new signing Nicklas Bendtner, as the former Arsenal man has said he is not ready to play, while fellow-striker Britt Assombalonga is still recovering from a hamstring injury and midfielder Chris Cohen is also out.

The visitors hand a debut to former Middlesbrough winger Mustapha Carayol - who joined on deadline day - and former Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic is favored over Stephen Henderson in goal.

Nottingham Forest: Stojkovic, Lichaj, Mancienne, Perquis, Fox, Carayol, Kasami, Lansbury (c), Cash, Osborn, Vellios.

Subs: Henderson, Mills, Dumitru, Pereira, Licá, Lam, Grant.

The hosts give a debut to Ivory Coast striker Jonathan Kodjia following his move from Bristol City for a potential Championship record fee that could rise to £15m.

He lines up alongside £12m-striker Ross McCormack, while there is a home debut for former Leicester City defender Ritchie de Laet.

Aston Villa: Gollini, De Laet, Elphick (c), Chester, Cissokho, Gardner, Westwood, Ayew, McCormack, Grealish, Kodjia.

Subs: Bunn, Baker, Richards, Bacuna, Gestede, Amavi, Jedinak.

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham Sport

A huge match at Championship level, and a game full of history and tradition.

But that history will count for nothing when today's sides step out at Villa Park and there's much interest in who might make up those sides.

After the closure of the transfer window, Forest start life after Oliver Burke also without the likes of Chris Cohen and Britt Assombalonga - while new signing Nicklas Bendtner won't be ready either.

But we could get a first glimpse of new signings Dumitru, Carayol and Lica and new goalkeeper Stojkovic could also feature.

As for Villa, they have the likes of Jonathan Kodjia and Albert Adomah to unveil, as their summer spending went through the £40m mark on deadline day.

That's a sign that Villa are desperate to get back into the big time at the first attempt, and not get bogged down in the Championship like Forest.

It's also a sign that this looks a very difficult game for the Reds - still in search of their first away league win of the season. Villa Park would be a very good place to get it.

Image source, Getty Images/PA

How times change in football, eh? Many of you will remember the glory days for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest as they triumphed over some of the finest clubs in the world.

But today, for the first time ever, two former European Cup winners meet in the second tier.

There has never been a Championship game between two sides with bigger trophy cabinets, so do stay with us for live coverage from this afternoon's game at Villa Park, with kick-off coming up in around half an hour.