Billy Davies has been searching for a left-back all season and with Forest going along nicely in the Championship has been given the go-ahead to sign the 28-year-old until the end of the year.
Davies told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We're fortunate he's out of contention at Aston Villa.
"We're bringing in a player we have admired over the last number of years."
Although out of favour at Villa Park, Shorey brings with him a wealth of Championship experience from his time at Reading where he made his name in the game after a 2001 move from Leyton Orient.
He made his England debut against Brazil in 2007 and has been capped twice.