Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their first league win of the season when they welcome unbeaten Brentford to Villa Park for a 3pm kick-off.
The Villans edged Tottenham 3-2 in a five-goal thriller before the international break, finally ending their wait for a top-flight victory this term. Unai Emery’s men will hope that result marks a genuine turning point, with three points this weekend potentially lifting them as high as 10th in the table.
Brentford, meanwhile, arrive in the West Midlands as one of only four unbeaten sides left in the Premier League. The Bees sit fourth after five matches and could climb as high as second on Saturday, provided Leeds do them a favour against Arsenal in the lunchtime kick-off.
Bees flying after Chelsea statement
Brentford’s unbeaten run now stretches to 11 matches in all competitions following their emphatic 3-0 victory over Chelsea last time out. Goals from Anthony, Thiago and Carvalho sealed the win at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the hosts posting an expected goals figure of 2.65 to Chelsea’s 0.83 — a thoroughly deserved three points.
Their league record reads won two, drawn three (W-D-D-D-W), and few would have predicted the Bees would be looking down on most of the division at this stage of the campaign. Saturday’s trip to Villa Park represents another stern test of their top-four credentials.
Villa finally off the mark
Villa’s season could hardly have started worse, but the 3-2 victory over Spurs before the break provided much-needed relief in the West Midlands. That result lifted them out of the relegation places and ended a league run that had read L-L-D-L-W.
Emery will be desperate for his side to kick on now, and the international break may well have come at a good time for a squad still finding its rhythm. However, the Villa treatment room remains busy. Amadou Onana is sidelined with an ACL injury, while Ian Maatsen’s ankle problem keeps him out long term. Leon Goretzka (knee) and Cisse also miss out, with Pau Torres (hamstring), Matty Cash, Alysson, Marco Bizot and Madjo all doubts ahead of kick-off.
Key men to watch
Johan Manzambi announced himself on his first Villa start before the break, scoring and assisting against Tottenham, and Emery will look to the youngster for another big performance. Striker Jackson will lead the line and carry the hosts’ main goal threat.
For Brentford, Kevin Schade has registered the most shots on target of any Bee this season and will fancy his chances against a stretched Villa defence. At the other end, Vitaly Janelt leads the entire Premier League with 16 interceptions, anchoring a side that has proved remarkably difficult to break down.
Brentford have their own injury concerns. Mikkel Damsgaard is out with an ankle problem sustained on Denmark duty, while Dasilva (thigh), Milambo (knee) and Furo are sidelined. Ouattara (illness), Jensen, Collins (calf) and van den Berg (groin) are all doubts.
Head-to-head
The clubs have met 20 times in all competitions, with Villa winning eight, Brentford four and eight ending all square. Recent history favours the hosts: Villa are unbeaten in six of their last eight meetings with the Bees (W4 D2 L2), and Brentford have won just one of their last 11 visits to Villa Park.
Prediction and betting
This promises to be a fascinating contest between a Villa side searching for momentum and a Brentford team brimming with confidence. The bookmakers make the 1-1 draw the likeliest outcome, and with the Bees so hard to beat, backing Brentford in the double chance market looks the value play. Under 3.5 goals also appeals given Brentford’s defensive solidity.
Prediction: 1-1 draw
