Aston Villa welcome newly-promoted Brentford at Villa Park on Saturday hoping to register back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
With a defeat and a victory, it has been a mixed start to the new Premier League season for the Villans. Dean Smith’s side bounced back from the opening day 3-2 defeat to newbies Watford with a 2-0 home success over Newcastle United last weekend.
Aston Villa head into the weekend’s contest against Brentford in buoyant mood having crushed League Two side Barrow AFC 6-0 in the second round of EFL Cup on Tuesday, although it was a much-changed Villans side with youngster Cameron Archer grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick.
Team News
Bertrand Traore will be out until just after the international break with a hamstring injury. Leon Bailey missed the Newcastle game with a slight hamstring issue having made his debut against Watford and remains doubtful, like Ollie Watkins, who has missed the first couple of games of the new season due to a bruised knee sustained in a friendly game.
Morgan Sanson (knee) and Mahmoud Trezeguet (knee), remain sidelined though injury for now.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez is Aston Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper under Dean Smith. He’ll be in goal on Saturday as well.
Defence
Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have been a reliable pair at the heart of Villa’s defence for the last two seasons. The duo dealing with Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo will be key to the Villans’ hopes of taking all three points from the contest.
Matty Cash will continue at right-back with Ashley Young expected to get the nod ahead of Matt Targett at left-back once again in the Aston Villa lineup.
Midfield
Douglas Luiz is a crucial cog in Smith’s system and he’ll look to take control of the game at the earliest against Brentford at the weekend.
John McGinn is an all-action midfielder who’ll be a threat to the visitors due to his long-range shooting prowess and box-to-box runs. Jacob Ramsey continues to develop well under Smith and should feature in the Aston Villa lineup.
Attack
Three goals in three games, including a brace in the EFL Cup victory over Barrow, gives a glimpse of Anwar El Ghazi’s form at the moment. The Moroccan will be hoping to get himself on the scoresheet against the Bees as well. Summer signing, Emi Buendia will start on the right wing in the Aston Villa lineup and aim to get involved much more in the final third.
With Ollie Watkins a major doubt, Danny Ings will spearhead Aston Villa’s attack. The 29-year-old has scored in back-to-back games and will be eager to make a mark against the newly-promoted side too.