Brentford vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Keith Andrews takes charge of his first home game as Brentford manager as Unai Emery's Aston Villa make the trip to the Gtech.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Fubo
Brentford preview: Concerning signs
If last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest is anything to go by, Brentford could well be in for a season of struggle and it is clear that the loss off Mark Flekken, Christian Norgaard, Bryan Mbeumo, wantaway striker Yoane Wissa and former manager Thomas Frank has left a huge hole in their setup.
The Bees had shipped three goals to Forest by half-time, and only an Igor Thiago penalty in the second period gave them some semblance of compensation in what was a worrying defeat.
Aston Villa preview: Ten men hold on
Aston Villa made a relatively slow start to their Premier League season, playing out a goalless stalemate with Newcastle at Villa Park last Saturday.
Having played the last half-hour with just ten men though, following Ezri Konsa's red card, a point was not an altogether bad result against tough opposition. With a somewhat favourable fixture run ahead of them, Unai Emery will be expecting his side to kick-on now.
Brentford team news: Wissa uncertainty
Although wantaway striker Yoane Wissa has been spotted in team training this week, it remains to be seen whether Keith Andrews includes him in their matchday squad amid uncertainy over his future.
Andrews has recouped a few players from injury this week though, with Ethan Pinnock and Paris Maghoma available again, while Mikkel Damsgaard should feature after he was left out last weekend for personal reasons. New signing, Dango Ouattara, meanwhile, could be involved.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry; Henderson, Jensen; Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Carvalho; Thiago
Unavailable: Janelt (Fitness), Nunes (Fitness)
Questionable: Wissa (Out of favour)
Aston Villa team news: Martinez returns but Konsa banned
Emiliano Martinez has completed his ban and is expected to line up between the sticks in place of Marco Bizot, who stood in last week.
Ezri Konsa will begin his own suspension after his dismissal, which could see Pau Torres start alongside Tyrone Mings in central defence.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Torres, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Unavailable: Konsa (Suspended), Garcia (Injured), Barkley (Injured)
Questionable:
Brentford vs Aston Villa prediction
New Brentford boss Keith Andrews' first taste of Premier League action last weekend will have left him under no illusion as to the task ahead of him, as Brentford looked well off the pace against Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa were hardly at their best themselves, and it's true that they have also been weakened by some summer departures, but they have enough class in the team to grind out results until reinforcements potentially arrive.
With frustrated striker Wissa potentially missing out once again for the Bees, a punt on the visitors keeping a clean sheet in victory could be worth a look.
Brentford vs Aston Villa tip: Aston Villa to win to nil
