Aston Villa look to continue their winning run in the Premier League as they head to the capital to face Thomas Frank’s Brentford this weekend.
Here’s the latest heading into tomorrow’s match-day 17 fixture against the Bees…
Assistant Editor: Liam Davies
THE BUILD UP
Unai Emery’s side will be looking to improve their away form in this Sunday’s clash with Brentford. Their record on the road, which has seen the Villans pick up just eleven points from eight games, is a complete contrast to their form at Villa Park where they boast a 100% record, winning all eight fixtures on home soil.
Last time out in the Premier League, the West-Midlands outfit defeated last season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal by a goal to nil, courtesy of John McGinn’s early strike. This result came off the back of an impressive performance over champions Manchester City just four days before, where Villa were also 1-0 victors thanks to Leon Bailey’s 74th minute effort.
Between now and the win over the Gunners, Emery’s men battled away in Bosnia, taking on HΕ K Zrinjski Mostar in their final UEFA Europa Conference League group game. The Villans needed a point to qualify as group winners and skip the first knockout ties, and a point is exactly what they got, with the game finishing 1-1 at the Gradski Stadium Mostar. NicolΓ² Zaniolo’s well-taken goal just after the hour mark was cancelled out by a late strike from Matija MalekinuΕ‘iΔ.
The 2018/19 EFL Championship play-off winners now have a three month break before their next set of Conference League fixtures, being the round of 16 ties in March. Progressing from Group E alongside Villa were Legia Warsaw, joining the likes of Lille, Fenerbache and Frankfurt out of the groups. Ajax, Real Betis and Olympiacos are among the teams to have dropped down from the UEFA Europa League and will feature in February’s knockout ties.
Focus will be on the Premier League from now until then however, starting with a big game against Brentford this weekend.
The Bees were on the losing side last time out; defeated by the newly appointed Chris Wilder and his Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane. Manchester City loanee James McAtee’s half-time stoppage time effort from outside the box was the difference last Saturday. This result made it back to back defeats (and four defeats from the last five) for Thomas Frank’s side after losing to Brighton three days prior.
Unai Emery is looking to capitalise on the West-London outfit’s poor run of form and improve upon the team’s inconsistent away displays.
Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s game, the Spaniard said: βWe are very demanding; myself, I am very demanding. I am trying to increase our demands with the players, how we can improve and we are really enjoying it but being demanding.
TEAM NEWS
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa could be without as many as eight players for this weekend’s trip to the capital with six of those being confirmed absentees.
Midfielder Douglas Luiz and left-back Lucas Digne are both out through suspension having picked up five yellow cards this season, while ‘keeper Robin Olsen is reportedly away on paternity leave and Bertrand TraorΓ© is injured.
Tyrone Mings and Emi BuendΓa remain out with their long-term injuries and in-form duo Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey are considered ‘doubts’ with knocks picked up during last week’s demanding fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Providing an update on the team ahead of tomorrow’s London outing, Unai Emery said: βTielemans and Leon Bailey are both doubts, Olsen is out, TraorΓ© is out.
βAnd the players who played yesterday [Thursday], weβre going to wait for tomorrow.β
BRENTFORD
Thomas Frank will be without this season’s talisman Bryan Mbeumo for this week’s home clash with Aston Villa.
The Cameroonian forward suffered an ankle injury during his side’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium last week, with Frank confirming that his number 19 will be unavailable for three months following surgery.
On the 24-year-old forward, he said: β[Mbeumo] will not participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mbeumo joins striker Ivan Toney on the absentee list. The number 17 was suspended from football for eight months (commencing from the beginning of the 2023/24 season) due to FA betting rule breaches and will not feature again until mid-January.
Brentford number eight Mathias Jensen will also miss this upcoming fixture against the Villans due to injury. The 27-year-old midfielder has an adductor problem but could return for The Bees’ festive fixture against Wolves on the 27th December.
Also out is German forward Kevin Schade (hip) and former Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer (ankle). Frank is hopeful to have play-maker Josh Dasilva back for the new year; the 25-year-old hasn’t featured in red and white since the 3-0 victory at Fulham in August where he picked up a hamstring problem.
Elsewhere, full-backs Rico Henry (knee) and Aaron Hickey (hamstring) are out, while centre-half Nathan Collins has this week returned to training and ‘could be ready for selection’ at the Gtech Community Stadium tomorrow.
Can I ask a quick favour?
We love producing content for you on our website, and we want to share it with as many Villa fans as possible. Consider mentioning our website next time you’re talking Villa with your friends, or better still, It’s free to subscribe to our profit-free site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released articles.
Plus, as with the website, no adverts or spam mail will be delivered to your mailbox; only our content. Thanks.
A BIT ON BRENTFORD…
Brentford have experienced a mixed start to the 2023/24 campaign, picking up five wins and four draws, while losing seven – results that leave the West-London outfit mid-table in the Premier League in 11th.
Four of those seven defeats have emerged within the last month or so, with Thomas Frank’s side accumulating just three points from a possible 15 in their last five games. Along the way, the red and whites have seen off the likes of Chelsea, West-Ham and rivals Fulham, but have fallen at the hands of Everton and recently Sheffield United.
Frank’s team, like many in the division, have been plagued with injuries to key players, with the likes of Rico Henry and Ben Mee missing a good portion of the term and the recent news concerning key performer Bryan Mbeumo.
Ivan Toney’s ban would have certainly disrupted things too and Brentford find themselves in a spot of bother heading into a busy and demanding festive period.
The Bees will look to to put their problems aside for now however, and hope to turn things around as soon as possible, starting with this weekend’s contest with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
Thomas Frank was full of praise for his managerial counterpart and his high-flying side, discussing particularly his admiration for the Spaniard’s managerial adaptability, but believes his side can cause their Birmingham-based opponents problems and pick up the victory at home.
Can Unai Emery’s Aston Villa get back on track on the road and pick up a valuable three points against Brentford or will Thomas Frank’s somewhat depleted Bees correct their form in the Premier League and take the glory at home?
Can you help support us?
Our non-profit and ad-free website, UTVPODCAST | The Website, is now accepting small donations to help support its continuous evolution and operating costs. We love creating this content for you and want it to be as successful as possible.
If you can help; treat us to a coffee. Thank you.
MY PREDICTED LINE-UP
Letβs take a look at my predicted line-up for this upcoming fixture in the capitalβ¦
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: LIAM DAVIES
“Thank you for reading: any likes, retweets, or shares on the social media post where you found this article would be highly appreciated“.
“Are you on Twitter? Drop me a follow; all released articles will be posted to my feed”.
Click the icon below…
Thumbnail Media Credit: www.avfc.co.uk
HUGE SAVINGS ON ASTON VILLA MERCHANDISE @ KITBAG
UTVPODCAST | The Website is pleased to partner with Official AVFC Store, Fanatics, and Kitbag. Throughout the season, we will bring you exclusive offers and discount codes.
