Brentford – Aston Villa : Preview & Prediction
Brentford’s five-game winless run in the Premier League (PL) has put paid to their ambition of qualifying for European competition (E2, P3), even if that is something manager Thomas Frank believes “shouldn’t be possible” for a club with limited resources. He will have his eye on getting back to winning ways as soon as possible as Brentford will have a tough schedule going forward, including finishing the campaign at home to Manchester City.
Part of that schedule includes hosting a fired-up Aston Villa in west London, although the Bees may believe they have a chance in this clash to close the seven-point gap, having won all four league meetings between them at this venue in the current millennium. With their 2-1 loss to Newcastle being their first home defeat in the PL in 11 games (G5, E5), Frank must feel that if his team’s performance is going to change it could be in this match.
However, the threat of a resurgent Aston Villa under Unai Emery cannot be ignored as the relegation-threatened side he took over in November are now in position to qualify for European competition after five consecutive PL wins. This is the first time they have recorded five consecutive top-flight wins since April 1998 under John Gregory, a season in which they would eventually finish seventh in the table.
After beating Newcastle 3-0 last time out, the Villans can look to improve on that position, particularly as they remain an opponent to consider away from home as their only away defeat in the PL since the start of November came against Manchester City (G6, E1). Considering they were ahead in the first 25 minutes in each of those last three games, another positive start could be what they need to get a rare win at this venue.
Players to watch: Ivan Toney scored before the break in two of Brentford’s last four games while Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has scored in six consecutive away games in league action – a club record – and contributed to more PL goals than anyone since the post-World Cup resumption (twelve goals, three assists).
Fast Fact: All three meetings between them in PL – which saw the home side win or a draw – had more goals before halftime than after the break.
Brentford – Aston Villa : Betting Tips
BTS/YES Odds: 2.25
