Aston Villa vs Brentford Preview

• Villa to win
• Both teams to score

Aston Villa host Brentford in a crucial Premier League encounter, with both teams eyeing important points to further their respective campaigns.

Villa are desperate to arrest their slump, while Brentford are buoyed by a commanding weekend victory that has propelled them into the top half of the table.

Aston Villa: Searching for a Turnaround

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa find themselves in a dire situation, winless in their last eight matches across all competitions (D3, L5), including five in the Premier League (D2, L3).

Their 3-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday marked their worst run in the league since August 2022 and leaves them languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Villa’s saving grace has been their relative resilience at home, losing just one of their last 11 Premier League matches at Villa Park (W4, D6). However, their inability to turn draws into wins, with the last three home games all ending level, has stymied their progress.

Youri Tielemans could be pivotal for Villa. The Belgian midfielder has never lost in five personal H2Hs against Brentford (W3, D2), scoring twice during that period. His experience and knack for delivering in key moments could be vital as Villa look to rediscover their form.

Brentford: Eyeing Consistency

Thomas Frank’s Brentford come into this fixture on a high after a stunning 4-1 victory over Leicester City, where they came from behind to dismantle their opponents.

That result lifted the Bees into the top half of the Premier League table, just three points shy of the top four—a testament to Frank’s exceptional management.

However, Brentford’s away form has been their Achilles heel this season. They’ve collected just one point from their six away games (D1, L5), the joint-lowest tally in the league alongside Southampton.

Adding to their woes is the historical hurdle of never winning an away league match against Aston Villa (D6, L3).

Kevin Schade will be the man to watch for Brentford. The German forward netted a sensational hat-trick against Leicester, becoming only the fourth German player in Premier League history to achieve that feat. His confidence will be sky-high as he looks to lead Brentford’s attack at Villa Park.

Key Battles

Youri Tielemans vs Brentford’s Midfield

Tielemans’ ability to dictate play and deliver key passes will be crucial for Villa. Brentford’s midfield, led by Mathias Jensen, must disrupt his rhythm to prevent him from unlocking their defense.

Kevin Schade vs Villa’s Defense

Schade’s pace and clinical finishing were on full display against Leicester. Villa’s defense, which has looked shaky during their winless run, will need to stay organized to keep him quiet.

Tactical Analysis

Aston Villa will likely focus on controlling possession and creating opportunities through Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. Emery’s side must be wary of Brentford’s counter attacking prowess, especially given Schade’s ability to exploit defensive gaps.

Brentford, on the other hand, will aim to stay compact defensively and hit Villa on the break. Their set-piece strength, combined with Schade’s recent form, could be pivotal in exploiting Villa’s vulnerabilities.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford

Aston Villa’s strong home record and desperation for a win make them slight favorites in this clash.

While Brentford’s confidence from their weekend win could make this a close contest, their poor away form and Villa’s historical dominance at Villa Park should tip the scales in favor of the hosts.

Expect Tielemans to play a key role for Villa, while Schade could keep things interesting for Brentford. However, Villa’s need for a result should see them edge this encounter in a tight and competitive affair.

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Aston Villa v Brentford, 2024/25 | Premier League