After last November’s ten-goal thriller between the two teams, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa meet again on Wednesday evening.

It was an epic 5-5 draw five months ago with a lot expected from both sides at the City Ground.

Dean Smith and Martin O’Neill’s teams are side-by-side in the table with the latter’s narrowly ahead by one place and two points in eighth.

Forest enter this game on the back of a win last weekend, seeing off the challenge of Hull City.

It was their third in in six games, and only the fourth in ten.

A win could see O’Neill’s side move into the top-six depending on tonight’s results as those of Wednesday, too.

Villa are a team that need the win to move closer to the top-six as they are four points shy of occupying a play-off place.

Smith masterminded a win over Birmingham last Sunday, a second consecutive win – and just their third in ten games.

It is a game that promises so much and one that is highly anticipated by many a neutral.

Ahead of the contest between the two teams, Sky Sports once again enlisted the thoughts of David Prutton to predict the outcome of the fixture.

The former football, now pundit said: “These two met in a midweek earlier in November and produced arguably the game of Championship season so far, drawing 5-5 at Villa Park.

“I don't imagine we'll see 10 goals again at the City Ground but we will see two sides going all out for the victory to try and force their way towards the top six.

“I fancy another entertaining draw, 2-2.”

The verdict

After the 5-5 earlier in the season, much is expected from this match.

And with the hype surrounding it, you can bank on it being a goalless draw.

Prutton has gone for a 2-2 draw but I think this will be anticlimactic.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic after the November clash, but such is football - this fixture will be a let down from start to finish.