Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest both possess talented squads full of star players but both clubs are currently struggling.

Villa had a terrible start to the season despite spending £60 million on players such as clinical Championship striker Jonathan Kodjia for £15 million and Ross McCormack for £12 million.

Villa struggled at first under Roberto Di Matteo winning only 1 of his opening 11 games drawing an astonishing 7 games.

After he was sacked experienced Championship manager Steve Bruce was brought in and he is undefeated so far.

Nottingham Forest are really struggling and sit just two points above the relegation zone, and some fans are wondering how long Phillip Montanier will remain in charge.

Forest are in poor form with 6 defeats in their last 9 games and are struggling for goals with Britt Assombalonga not fit and Apostolos Vellios not consistent, whilst Michail Antonio's creativity hasn't been replaced since he was moved onto West Ham.

Here, FLW Michael Hasan gives his opinion on the best combined eleven from both Forest and Villa...

GK - Pierluigi Gollini (Aston Villa)

pierluigi-gollinipierluigi-gollini

The young Italian goalkeeper is slowly learning at Villa and looks a solid young option for Bruce now since the departure of Brad Guzan. The Italy U21 international was bought for £4 million from Hellas Verona and despite a shaky start looks more solid than Forest keeper Vladimir Stojkovic replacing the impressive Karl Darlow who moved to Newcastle.

LB - Jordan Amavi (Aston Villa)

amaviamavi0

The 22-year-old left back is seen as one of the best full backs in the Championship and one of the better pieces of transfer business from Aston Villa when he joined from Nice last summer. He impressed at left back edging out Forest option Danny Fox. Amavi played for France at youth level and has a big future art the top level of football.

RB - Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest)

lichaj

The wealth of options at both sides isn't exactly enviable with Aston Villa possessing Alan Hutton and Aly Cissokho who are seen as weak links in the Villa side. But Eric Lichaj has been very consistent for Nottingham Forest at right back for a number of years and is seen as very underrated by neutrals possessing good pace, defensive ability and dead ball skill.

CB - Michael Mancienne (Nottingham Forest)

mancienne

Mancienne is seen as one of the best centre halves in the Championship when on form but his partnership with Perquis has looked shaky this season. The towering 28-year-old has experience in the Premier League with Chelsea and Wolves and in the Bundesliga with Hamburg. He played for England at youth level and is a fixture in the Forest side.

CB - James Chester (Aston Villa)

james-chesterd

After impressing for Wales in the Euros there was a cue of clubs wanting his services and West Brom weren't giving him much game time. Villa fended off Premier League interest to capture the Welshman and he is now the captain of the side leading from the back alongside Nathan Baker. Villa have always been bad at the back and fans will hope Chester represents a turning point.

CM - Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest)

lansbury

A player that has regularly been seen as one of the best play-makers in the Championship is Henri Lansbury who has been chased by plenty of Premier League sides. The 26-year-old Arsenal academy product has made nearly 150 appearances for Forest impressing fans with his impressive vision and passing using his Premier League experience to his advantage.

CM - Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa)

mile-jedinaks

The big Aussie left Premier League side Crystal Palace to join Villa and is a natural leader in the middle of the park. He is a tough tackler who also possesses good passing and could provide the defensive cover to a partnership with Lansbury. Jedinak has nearly 100 Premier League appearances and his experience will be invaluable to Villa this season.

LM - Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest)

Ben Osborn

One of the best youth products in the Football League is Nottingham Forest youngster Ben Osborn. The 22-year-old is already a key player for Forest and is closing in on 100 appearances as well as starring for England at youth levels. He did recently sign a contract extension and is perhaps Forest's most important player.

RM - Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa)

jordan-ayews

Ayew was one of the bright sparks for Aston Villa in the Premier League last season scoring 9 goals which wasn't enough to keep them up. Ayew has played a key part for Villa down the right flanks holding the ball up well and supplying the front-man Kodjia well and he has 2 goals this season. He is an international for Ghana and is rated by many as Premier League class.

ST - Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest)

assombalongaassombalongam

He is struggling for fitness but when he is fit he is definitely one of the most dangerous strikers in the Football League. In his first season at Forest he scored 15 goals in 30 games but suffered a devastating injury the following season and never truly recovered. He has recently returned to action and has 4 goals and when in full flow his pace and power is too much to handle for Championship defences.

ST - Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa)

jonathan-kodjiajonathan-kodjiadddd

Kodjia was a revelation for Bristol City last season in his first season in English football scoring a sensational 19 goals and earning a huge money £15 million pound move to Aston Villa. He has started very well with 6 goals in 11 games and is now a regular for the Ivory Coast. On his day the bst striker in the Championship.

Thoughts Forest and Villa fans? Leave comments below.