Brentford vs Aston Villa preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Aston Villa are preparing for their first away day of the season against Brentford on Saturday.
On opening day, Villa secured a hard-fought point against Newcastle United after Ezri Konsa was sent off in the second half by referee Craig Pawson.
Now, attentions turn to the Gtech Community Stadium for a trip to face Brentford, as Unai Emery looks to secure a first win of the campaign.
This comes off the back of a 3-1 defeat on Keith Andrews’ maiden voyage as a manager, as the Bees were beaten comfortably by Nottingham Forest last time out.
As a result, both sides will be keen to land three points to kick-start the new year of Premier League action in what will likely be a tight game in South West London.
Form guide (Premier League and pre-season)
Brentford: DWDL
Aston Villa: DWLWD
Team news
Villa look set to welcome Emi Martinez back into the starting 11 against Brentford after he missed the first day of the campaign through suspension.
Ahead of the Argentina international, Konsa will be absent after his red card, something which could see Pau Torres or Lamare Bogarde come into the starting 11.
Besides this, Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley both look likely to miss out once again, as both continue to struggle with fitness concerns.
Brentford also have absentees of their own, with Yoane Wissa set to miss out through suspension as he continues efforts to move away from the Bees.
Andrews looks set to be without Vitaly Janelt and Gustavo Gomes, who are unlikely to be available to face the Villans due to a heel and hamstring problem, respectively.
Predicted lineups
Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Henry, Jensen, Henderson, Lewis-Potter, Carvalho, Schade, Thiago
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Bogarde, Mings, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Malen, Watkins
Prediction: Brentford 0-2 Aston Villa
Although the Gtech Community Stadium represents a tough challenge for away sides, there is no getting away from the impact that Watkins always seems to have against Brentford.
The former Bees star always tends to have his say against the side in red and white stripes and could be set to do so again.
- Watkins has scored Premier League goals against Brentford six times
- He has clocked up nine goal involvements against his old side
- The Englishman’s career record against the Bees sits at five wins and three draws
If the 29-year-old can work his magic in the capital once more, he will be hoping that his defensive line can do him a favour and keep another clean sheet.
With Martinez likely to be back in between the sticks, that could be highly possible, even with Konsa missing in frustrating circumstances.
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