The Ibrahim Mbaye blunder Unai Emery can't afford in Aston Villa vs Brentford

Unai Emery may feel tempted to hand Ibrahim Mbaye his full Aston Villa Premier League debut against Brentford.

Villa resume their Premier League campaign against the Bees on Saturday afternoon.

After a slow start to the 2026-27 season, Emery's side appear to be turning a corner.

They've won three on the spin in all competitions, including an international break friendly against Emery's old employers Sevilla last week.

Despite this, the Villains remain 16th in the table ahead of matchday six, and need to start climbing the table soon to make ground on the European places.

As such, Brentford at Villa Park is not the time for Emery to start experimenting and taking unnecessary risks with his starting lineup.

Why Ibrahim Mbaye may feel he's earned Aston Villa start vs Brentford

One of a host of Aston Villa players away on international duty over the last few weeks, Mbaye enjoyed a fruitful camp with Senegal.

The 18-year-old winger featured in all three of the Lions of Teranga's games over the break.

He played 27 minutes against Mozambique, 89 against Ethiopia and 45 against Comoros, grabbing a goal and an assist across the latter two matches.

Mbaye scored the winning goal for Senegal in the 1-0 victory over Ethiopia on 29 September to claim three points in their Africa Cup of Nations group stage qualifying group.

Per FotMob, he completed 90 per cent of his passes, created two chances, took two shots and completed three dribbles in that game.

He also made three recoveries, won three ground duels and won his lone aerial duel.

It helped Mbaye make a solid case for a starting place against Brentford, but why should Emery resist any temptation he may have to do so?

Can't-dismiss factor may impact Mbaye's performance if he starts vs Brentford

One of the most testing parts for a player whilst on international duty can be all the travelling that is required.

Especially, as Senegal were doing over the past few weeks, if your team is playing numerous games away from home.

Senegal and Mbaye travelled from Mozambique to Ethiopia, before ending their break with a friendly against Comoros in Marseille, France.

All of this travelling will only further have fatigued Mbaye, and Emery is in the position where he doesn't need to risk the teenager.

In a must-win game as Brentford is, he's got proven performers and big-game players in John McGinn and Emi Buendia at his disposal.

Both of these two have been in good form of late, and so anything other than starting them on the flanks would be a huge risk by Emery.