Brentford vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Brentford are still pushing for a European place in the Premier League as they welcome an Aston Villa side, chasing two trophies in the final months of the campaign, to west London.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 8th March, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Telemundo
Brentford Preview: Bees pushing for Europe
Brentford have been inconsistent this season but a lot more entertaining to watch than perhaps they have been as they establish themselves as a mid-table side in the top-flight but, with a few months of the season to go, Thomas Frank’s west Londoners will fancy a top eight or nine finish.
There could be nine spots available for Europe in the Premier League this season, keeping any mid-table side alive. The Bees come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Everton about ten days ago, making it just one defeat in their last five matches in the league.
Aston Villa Preview: Needing consistency
Aston Villa come into this one having just beaten Belgian champions Club Brugge by three goals to one at the Janbreydelstadion in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie in midweek thanks to goals from Leon Bailey and Marco Asensio either side of an own goal.
That victory, with a two-goal advantage, is likely to see the Villains through to the quarter-finals in Europe and they made it through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend. Unai Emery’s side haven’t been as consistent in the league and they could do with changing that.
Brentford Team News: Danes fully fit
Thomas Frank has confirmed that Brentford's Denmark international midfield duo of Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard are both back involved for this weekend. Sepp van den Berg will resume training next week, whilst Rico Henry is back in full training. Aaron Hickey is beginning to rebuild his fitness levels, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa
Unavailable: Van den Berg (Injured), Hickey (Fitness), Dasilva (Injured), Nunes (Injured), Thiago (Injured)
Questionable:
Aston Villa Team News: Barkley still out, Onana 'close'
In his pre-match press conference, Unai Emery has confirmed that England international Ross Barkley remains sidelined but fellow midfielder Amadou Onana is now 'close' to a return. The Villains enjoyed the return of Pau Torres, Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara back into their squad during the week.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Asensio, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Unavailable: Barkley (Injured)
Questionable: Onana (Injured)
Brentford vs Aston Villa Prediction
Brentford have a chance of pushing themselves into Europe this season but it is at about that time that the Bees may fade with survival and becoming a Premier League stalwart always, and perhaps reasonably, their priority. Villa, though, have made a habit of turning in brilliant results in big games before failing to show in so-called ‘smaller games’ or at least more low key matches, as was shown by taking four points from games against Chelsea and Liverpool before then being beaten 4-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Given that, siding with Brentford, especially at the Gtech Community Stadium, may well be sensible for this one.
Brentford vs Aston Villa Tip: Double chance – Brentford to win or draw
