Half the pitch is now drenched in sunlight as Aston Villa look confident from the outset, as you'd expect given the run they have been on.

We're under way at the City Ground.

With this Nottingham Forest's last home game before Remembrance Day, the club marks it by laying two wreaths on the pitch.

There's a really lovely moment as the young bugle player struggles with the Last Post but the Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest players, and all the fans, rally around him with applause.

Image source, Getty Images

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

If he loses his job here, he'll get another job because he's a good manager. I think he's an outstanding manager.

He was under pressure last year. I remember when they went to Leicester and everyone thought he was going to lose his job. He signed a new deal and they went on a great run.

They do have injuries, they've spent a lot of money but one thing with this football club, the owner is ambitious and there will be pressure on Steve Cooper.

Image source, Getty Images

Is Steve Cooper under pressure? He walks out to applaud the fans and they respond with cheers and applause back at him. He certainly seems to have the backing of most fans.

Regardless, they could really do with taking three points today.

Kick off is fast approaching. Here's a reminder of the teams.

Image source, .

Image source, .

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper speaking to Sky Sports about starting Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal: "I probably felt it was the right time and have been pleased with Matt Turner. We do have a strong goalkeeping department and we want our guys to be fighting for positions. It's a change we feel is the right choice to make, so I made the call pretty early this week.

"I spoke to Matt about it and he understood the situation. There are still aspects of his game we still want to work with him. We are committed to it and we are going to support Odysseas Vlachodimos on his first game."

On Taiwo Awoniyi: "It wasn't just about being fit for today's game. He is definitely in a situation where he has to manage certain things with his body that has kept him out for some games this season. But at the moment, he feels fine and keen to give today's game a real go. Fingers crossed, he is physically okay for the game."

On switching systems and playing at the back four: "We have changed to back three to back fours a few times this season. We even talked about this in pre-season and we want to be a team that wants to be flexible in certain situations, while keeping the same principles whatever formation that we play in a particular match. At the same time, we are always respecting who we are playing and looking at ways where we can make the biggest impact.

On home form: "There is no doubt that Aston Villa are in good form. We have been really good at home and somebody told me that we have been unbeaten here in 17 matches. It does tell you that we do feel home here, the crowd have been fantastic and getting behind the players which the team have benefitted from. We will try and get the game to Villa today."

• Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Championship in February 2017 but that is their only victory in the past 15 league meetings (D7, L7).
• Nottingham Forest won two of their first four Premier League games this season (L2) but have since won none of their last six (D4 L2), their longest winless run since an 11-game stretch between February and April earlier this year.

• A 21st Premier League win of 2023 for Villa would equal the club record set in 1998.

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to live commentary on this game on BBC Radio 5 live, so tune in.

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One year on from Unai Emery taking charge at Aston Villa, his side have won 22 of their 35 games under him (D5 L8).

That is more wins than the most recent two title-winning managers managed at their clubs in their first 35 games – 20 for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and 16 for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Villa's tally of 22 points from 10 games is their best start to a Premier League season since 1998-99.

It is a fantastic record, but the concern for Villa is that other clubs will surely have taken notice of just how good Emery is doing?

Vicki Sparks
BBC commentator, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

Unai Emery keeps setting the targets, the achievements and the bar higher for Aston Villa but does it in a way which is so inspiring rather than putting that pressure or demand on players that can actually illicit a negative response.

They've been a joy to watch again and how high can they go this season? That's the key question.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is expecting more to come from Moussa Diaby in the Premier League.

The forward ended a nine-game goal drought in last week's 3-1 win over Luton.

"In his adaptation it's still important to support him and try to practice with him and his team-mates in the idea we are trying to create," Emery said.

"He's in this process. When he's scoring and playing matches, we are getting good performances and we are very happy.

"He can improve, he can play better and he is doing well but I want to support him and try to demand more from him because he can do it."

Rachel Corsie
Scotland and Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

The decisions the referees include within what is looked at by VAR are subjective - it is how someone views it and it probably is causing a lot of frustration.

You even hear when managers speak about it, every team feels it doesn't benefit them so I don't know how you help it.

At the moment it's something that's unfortunately consuming the conversation.

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

They've got a lot of good attacking options but I do like Taiwo Awoniyi, he's an outstanding player and do you know what I like? A lot of clubs are watching him at the moment I've heard. He's good with his back to goal, he can run in behind.

I used to question his finishing - now when he's getting in there, he's getting opportunities.

Vicki Sparks
BBC commentator, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

You have to have confidence at the back in your goalkeeper and I think that confidence has just been eroded.

It's a shame for Matt Turner of course it is but it's a big opportunity for Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports: "We can see on what we have achieved since I have been here. I am focused on the present moment and I have seen the progress of the team. We will try to go and take this team to the next level. We are always evolving."

On his team's away record: "We proved ourselves at home, producing good work and getting the three points in every match we play. We are trying to replicate our performances at home into the away games by practising and getting the confidence. Today is a good opportunity to show we can manage 90 minutes both defensively and offensively to get our best performance. We have to be clinical up front and try to control the game."

On Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby's partnership: "We need the goalkeeper to start the build-up and trying to play long-balls. We have to try and connect with our centre-halves, full-backs and midfielders. Most importantly, we have to connect with our strikers and help them get into the box with good positioning.

Visiting the City Ground for the first time: "I remember they won the European Cup and we respect the club's history and traditions. We are going to try to perform here and play a very good match. Always respect where we are playing today."

Aaron Lennon
Former Tottenham, Everton & Burnley winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Maybe I'm old school, I actually really don't like it.

The amount of time it's taking, when players are scoring and not knowing whether to celebrate or not and they're still getting it wrong, for me.

There's always going to be human error but I don't feel it has improved that much.

I feel like it takes so much away from the game so much away from the crowd, with the players, the celebrations.

I'm really old school but I don't think it's going anywhere. I think VAR is here to stay.

One of the big talking points from yesterday was the goal Newcastle scored to end Arsenal's unbeaten run.

VAR checked three things - the ball going out of play before the cross that led to the goal, a possible foul by Joelinton as part of the build up and whether Anthony Gordon was offside.

The MOTD team discussed the incident in the video above.

Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder

I've been reading the criticism around Steve Cooper and how he is not setting the team up right, that he's not very adventurous, but you have got to look at his record in the Premier League this season.

They were really unfortunate against Manchester United , against Arsenal they were close, then there was the Chelsea game that they actually won, so away from home they have been solid. So what do you do? How much do you change?

Cooper has had tonnes of injuries to deal with and changes in staff this season. I think he's a talented coach and I just think everyone has to be patient at Forest. You have to be careful that you don't want too much too soon - that is the danger.