Despite the recent home struggle of Brentford, Unai Emery from Aston Villa expects a “difficult” task in the Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
In this match, Villa comes on the back of the victories over Cardiff City in the FA Cup and Club Brugge in the Champions League, but they have lately stumbled at the top of the upper light.
They have won only one of their last seven in the Premier League, with a 4-1 defeat in Crystal Palace the previous time-out that destroys their top-four hope. They are 10th in the table, but are only five points from the top four.
Villa has had problems achieving results in the Premier League after Midweek Champions League matches this season, and Emery anticipates a difficult test against Brentford.
“Sometimes you can perform fantastic, and you are not winning. Sometimes you do not compete well and you win,” Emery said when he was asked about Brentford's home form.
“They have different results, but they perform well, and they play a number of games that don't win, but deserve more.
“Always, they are strong at home. Always. Even may not get any good results, they always compete very well and always difficult for the opponent.”
#Beavl is the following … pic.twitter.com/psjmh2mqpl
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) March 7, 2025
Brentford is also outside contenders to earn a European place, which have earned 38 points so far this season, so that they are left 11th, with a competition in hand over villa above them.
They are undefeated in their last three trips (W2 D1), although they don't hold a lead in their last home game and 1-1 draw with Everton.
Brentford has had injury problems in recent weeks, but Thomas Frank had positive updates about two important midfielders prior to their collision with Villa.
“Norgaard is back, what we expected after the concussion,” Frank said.
“And Mathias Jensen will also be involved with the team, so that is very positive.”
Players to watch
Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo
Tien van Bryan Mbeumo's 15 Premier League goals have made Brentford ahead in the game this season, without a player who has more this period.
Seven of these set the bees 1-0, with only Chris Wood (nine) who processed the opening goal in more different games.
Aston Villa – Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio has been involved in eight goals in his last nine competition start (four goals, four assists).
However, he did not score in one of his last 12 in the league games since he was in Strasbourg for Paris Saint-Germain in February 2024.
pic.twitter.com/g3mewc0tet
– Brentford FC (@brentfordfc) 4 March 2025
Match forecast: Brentford Win
Brentford is unbeaten in their first eight competition meetings with Aston Villa (alternating between a draw and a victory), and is now a win in their last five against the Villans (D2 L3, interspersed between defeat and a draw every time).
They lost from Villa in their last meeting (3-1), but will want to do better than a draw by getting their impressive home shape back from earlier this season. They won this term seven of their first eight in the Gtech Community Stadium, but have since been in six winless in six.
Villa has scored in all seven of their Premier League meetings with Brentford, but also only held one clean sheet in that run (4-0 in October 2022).
After won the reverse competition in Villa Park in December and Villa wants to complete a first Premier League double over Brentford. However, since 1946-47 they have not won both meetings with the bees in a competition campaign.
Villa took 10 points this season of the first 12 available road from home in the Premier League (W3 D1), but has since won only four of a possible 27 on the road (W1 D1 L7).
Opta wins probability
Brentford – 42.6%
Drawing – 24.6%
Aston Villa – 32.9%