Brentford face Aston Villa this weekend in an intriguing Premier League match-up, with both teams aiming to settle early nerves and find momentum after busy summers.
- Date: 23/08/2025
- Kick-off: 3:00pm
- Location: Brentford Community Stadium, West London
Brentford come into the campaign working under new manager Keith Andrews, who has stepped up in the wake of Thomas Frank’s departure to Tottenham. The summer has brought major challenges, not least the loss of three key figures - top scorer Bryan Mbeumo, captain Christian Norgaard, and the experienced Mark Flekken in goal. Caoimhin Kelleher, newly arrived from Liverpool, is tasked with settling in quickly between the posts while Jordan Henderson adds midfield experience. Brentford achieved a top-half finish last season, but predictions this time suggest a relegation battle may await as the club adjusts to its reshaped squad and new leadership.
The Bees' season began in worrying fashion in Nottingham, as Andrews' men were comfotably beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest. The home side blew them away in the first half and were 3-0 up at the break, and while Brentford pulled a goal back through a late Igor Thiago penalty, Forest largely cruised through the first half.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have to figure out how to further evolve after two consecutive campaigns of progress under Emery. Last season saw Villa finish in sixth place while also mounting an impressive Champions League run that saw them push eventual winners PSG right to the wire in the quarter-finals. The club have added striker Evann Guessand from Nice to challenge for the number nine spot, while the broader squad is well-balanced for both league and European commitments. Villa’s depth and stability offer hope of further improvement, and their experience navigating multiple competitions is seen as a key asset.
Villa's season got off to a slow start with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle last weekend. Villa were largely second best for the majority of the game, and then fell down to ten men after Ezri Konsa was sent off on 66 minutes. Villa did well to neutralise Newcastle after that incident, but the performance on the whole was still subpar from them.
Villa do, though, have a very favourable head-to-head record against Brentford, going unbeaten in their last five meetings with the London club, winning each of the last two. With Brentford also winless in their last three Premier League games, we think Unai Emery's men will get the job done here.
Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa
