Prediction: Brentford vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Aston Villa wins and both teams to score

Best odds: 72/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Aston Villa is continuing their title challenge with a difficult game away against an out-of-form Brentford. The hosts will be backed by more than 15,000 fans hoping for their team to get a much-needed win at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Brentford

The Bees started their Premier League campaign on a high being undefeated after five rounds. Their opening game of the season was an exciting draw (2-2) displayed in front of their fans against Tottenham. It was a result that would indicate early on Brentford’s goal-scoring ability. However, the team suffered an unexpected fall in September losing four of their five matches played across all competitions. This negative series dropped Thomas Frank’s players close to the relegation positions. The October international break came at a perfect time. The Danish manager had all his players available in training working towards getting back on the winning ways as the Premier League would resume.

That is exactly what has happened with the Bees winning 3 games in a row, a series of results that propelled the team towards safety. A 3-0 home win against Burnley was followed by a shock win at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea (0-2). The later game proved Brentford’s ability to develop a lightning-fast pace on the break. Despite defeating the Blues, a difficult recent schedule with matches played against Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton, Burnley and Sheffield United was a reality check for the Bees who lost four of their last five  Premier League games.

Team News

Bryan Mbeumo is a big loss for Thomas Frank’s team. The in-form striker scored against Brighton but came off the pitch suffering an ankle injury. Rico Henry will miss the rest of the season following his knee surgery, with Josh Dasilva (hamstring) and Kevin Schade (adductors) joining him in the recovery room.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa have been impressive this season, unexpectedly turning into a Premier League title contender. The visitors are just two points behind leaders Liverpool, displaying one of the most attractive football approaches played in the PL. Defeating the current champions Manchester City (1-0) was a statement made by the Villans who are looking to end this year on a high. Unai Emery’s brilliance was proved once again at the European level, qualifying Aston Villa for the knockout phase of the Europa League. The highly regarded Spanish manager has carefully planned Villa’s extremely busy schedule getting impressive results both domestically and abroad.

The Birmingham side fancy playing in London, having defeated both Chelsea and Tottenham. A performance they will look to repeat against Brentford as well, considering The Lions’ poor record at Brentford Community Stadium. The hosts’ injury crisis, coupled with the excellent form of the visitors, might just be the perfect scenario for a first-time win of Unai Emery’s team on Brentford’s ground. Having most of the squad rested in the midweek Europa League away game played at Zrinjski, Aston Villa will be expected to fire on all four cylinders.

Team News

Tyrone Mings is out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament tear suffered in the Premier League opening game against Newcastle. Emiliano Buendia has been out with the same injury since August, before the season had started. He most likely will not feature for Villa in this campaign either.

Emery will stick to his 4-4-2 system. A solid back 4 line made up of Torres, Diego Carlos, Konsa and Digne will look to stop Brentford’s attacking players. McGinn, Tielemans, Douglas Luis and Kamara will play in the midfield trying to set up Watkins and Bailey to get on the score board.

Key factors to consider

• Brentford are undefeated at Comunity Stadium against Aston Villa (W4D1).
• The hosts are going through a difficult period losing four of their last five competitive games.
• Thomas Franck built a fortress on the Comunity Stadium with only Everton and Arsenal winning on Brentford’s turf so far.
• Aston Villa have had an exceptional season, being already in the Europa League knockout stage and challenging for the Premier League title.
• Unai Emery’s team is playing on the front foot, scoring 35 goals in 16 Premier League matches.
• The Villans look set to get their 1st win at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Conclusion

Aston Villa are flying high both domestically and in Europe. Unai Emery’s team looks set to break the ice and get the first win at Brentford Community Stadium. We are expecting at least two goals in Mark Flekken’s net with Ollie Watkins stealing the show.

Verdict: Aston Villa wins and both teams to score

Best odds: 72/25

Bookmaker: ZetBet