Verdict: Aston Villa victory
Best odds: 1/1
Betting house: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, Aston Villa host Brentford in the Midlands.
Villa Aston
Starting with the hosts, who closed their Europa League group stage adventure with a sensational comeback at home, Aston Villa have rightly received a series of plaudits from across the continent. Finally recording a thrilling 3-2 victory against Austrian giants Salzburg, Unai Emery’s men made their way into the round of 16 without breaking a sweat. Opening this weekend’s matches in bronze medal position, the former Arsenal manager finds the atmosphere in his camp red hot. Breaking a number of records this season, Aston Villa will be looking to make another statement here. After a tough performance last week, when they recorded a 2-0 victory at Newcastle, Sunday’s hosts have also earned a fearsome reputation for their prolonged dominance at home. In fact, Villa have won 12 of their previous 13 meetings in front of their own fans, a streak stretching back to the end of August.
Aston Villa Team News
Aston Villa, hobbled by a suspected hamstring injury against Salzburg on Thursday night, are expected to be without England international Ollie Watkins here. Likewise, after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, Emery’s team have confirmed that Boubacar Kamara will miss the rest of the season.
Morgan Rogers, who came off the bench and scored his first Europa League goal in midweek, will receive a full retirement. Despite being once again linked with a move away from the Midlands this month, Argentine goalkeeper Emirates Martínez will start between the sticks.
Brentford
As for the visitors, while Brentford might have found themselves at the center of a sensational run either side of the New Year’s opener, Keith Andrews’ men have seen their European dreams take a major hit in recent fortnights. Missing what they had considered a golden opportunity last weekend when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to relegation-fighting Nottingham Forest, the Bees have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time since early December. Considered a real underdog contender when they travel to the Midlands on Sunday afternoon, Brentford have a dismal record at Villa Park. Hit by a routine 3-1 defeat when they last traveled to the Champions League chasers in December 2024, they have never recorded a single Premier League victory in the Midlands.
Brentford Team News
Both limping off with their respective knocks in the first half against Brentford last weekend, Brentford are sweating over the fitness of Mikkel Damsgaard and Norwegian international Kristoffer Ajer. Likewise, former Liverpool player Fabio Carvalho will miss the rest of the campaign with a knee injury.
Enjoying what has been a remarkable run in the Premier League this season and scoring 16 goals in his 23 appearances, the red-hot Igor Thiago will lead the line here. England international Jordan Henderson could make his first top-flight start since New Year’s Day.
Aston Villa vs Brentford Key factors to consider
- When Aston Villa last hosted Brentford in the Midlands in December 2024, Emery’s team claimed a 3-1 victory.
- Brentford have never achieved a Premier League victory at Villa Park.
- Villa have won 12 of their previous 13 meetings in front of their own fans, a streak stretching back to the end of August.
- The Bees have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time since early December.
- Brazilian striker Igor Thiago has scored 16 goals in his 23 Premier League appearances this season.
Conclusion
After making a surprising comeback in the Europa League on Thursday night, when they finally recorded a 3-2 victory against Salzburg, Aston Villa certainly finds the atmosphere in their camp red hot. Opening this weekend’s matches in bronze medal position, Emery’s men will be sure to make another statement in the Midlands. Winning 12 of their 13 meetings at Villa Park in all competitions, they also claimed a 3-1 victory the last time they hosted Brentford in the city in December 2024.
Verdict: Aston Villa victory
Best odds: 1/1
Betting house: Dachbet
