Keith Andrews go handle him first home game as Brentford head coach when dem welcome Aston Villa come Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday for Premier League clash.
Both teams no fit collect maximum points for opening weekend. Brentford lose 3-1 for Nottingham Forest, while Villa manage draw 0-0 against Newcastle even after dem play last 30 minutes with 10 men.
Brentford Form & Wahala
Andrews na set-piece coach before dem appoint am as head coach, but irony be say na from corner dem first concede against Forest.
That early goal scatter the Bees rhythm, and dem leak three goals before Igor Thiago manage consolatory penalty for 78th minute. Na him first Premier League goal.
Plenty pipo dey tip Brentford to suffer this season after dem lose Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken plus wahala with Yoane Wissa wey wan comot.
But history dey their side small — Brentford never lose dem first home match for any of their nine Premier League seasons (W7, D2). Dem dey always score at least two goals for that kind fixture.
The wahala be say dem no dey enjoy play against Aston Villa recently — six straight league games, dem never win (D2, L4). Last season, Villa even knack dem 1-0 for Gtech. The Bees never keep clean sheet against Villa in all their eight Premier League meetings. Bad omen dey hang for their head.
Aston Villa Update
Villa last weekend draw 0-0 with Newcastle for Villa Park. Ezri Konsa collect red card but Newcastle no fit use am punish them. Emery men only manage three shots for the whole 90 minutes — na their lowest since May 2024. Their expected goals (0.20) na worst for matchday one.
New signing Marco Bizot hold ground well for post, but first-choice keeper Emiliano Martinez go return this weekend after suspension.
Still, Villa need reinforcements before transfer deadline because Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Jacob Ramsey don waka comot. Their squad dey look light.
Villa dey unbeaten for 19 home league matches (W11, D8), their longest streak. But now dem dey travel go Brentford where dem don win their last two visits.
The Lions dey also try avoid going three Premier League matches without scoring under Emery — the last time that kain thing happen na 2020 under Dean Smith.
Brentford Team News
- Vitaly Janelt (ankle) and Gustavo Nunes (thigh) no go play.
- Ethan Pinnock, Paris Maghoma and Yunes Emre Konak fit return.
- Mikkel Damsgaard don return after him miss last match for family matter (him pikin birth).
- Yoane Wissa fit dey matchday squad despite transfer links to Newcastle.
- Jordan Henderson dey available and fit start with Mathias Jensen and Damsgaard for midfield.
- Rico Henry return go free Keane Lewis-Potter to push forward.
- Dango Ouattara fit make him Brentford debut.
Aston Villa Team News
- Konsa dey suspended after him red card.
- Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley still dey injured.
- Martinez go return as first-choice keeper.
- Pau Torres likely go partner Tyrone Mings for centre-back.
- Attack go see Morgan Rogers join Ollie Watkins, wey love score against him former club Brentford (two goals for last two visits).
Possible Lineups
Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry; Jensen, Henderson, Damsgaard; Lewis-Potter, Thiago, Schade
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Torres, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Our Prediction
Last season, Gtech Community Stadium see 75 Premier League goals — the highest for any stadium. Brentford dey always score but dem dey leak goals too. Expect both nets to shake.
But with Villa’s record for this ground and Emery’s men needing response after goalless draw with Newcastle, we believe say Villa get small edge.
Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa