Brentford vs Aston Villa preview: How to watch, stream details, team news, betting odds & more

Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they head to west London to take on Brentford.

The Bees are exceeding expectations so far this season, sat comfortably in midtable and just two points behind Steven Gerrard’s men.

A victory to start the new year would set both teams up with optimism for the remainder of the campaign and despite both losing last time out, the two will feel they can come away with three points from this one.

When is the game?

The game takes place on January 2 so you can all nurse them sore heads with no football to attend the day prior.

It kicks off at 14:00 (GMT) at Brentford’s Brentford Community Stadium.

Is the game on TV?

Yes. The game will be live on Sky Sports football and Sky Sports main event. Coverage gets underway at 13:00.

How can I stream it?

Sky Sports customers can access the game via the Sky Go app using all good smart devices or via Sky Go online.

Team news

Aston Villa will be without Marvelous Nakamba who remains sidelined with the injury he picked up early in December.

Bertrand Traore made his long awaited return in the defeat to Chelsea and may be pushing for a start along with Trezeguet who is yet to play so far this season.

Bryan Mbuemo may return for the hosts after missing the midweek defeat to Manchester City whilst Kristoffer Ajer could also find himself with a spot on the bench after missing three months of action with a hamstring injury.

Form guide

Brentford: LLLDWL

Aston Villa: LWLWLW

If there’s one thing you can take from Villa’s recent form, it’s that when they suffer a defeat, they often bounce back with a win and Steven Gerrard will be hoping to see a similar response against the Bees.

Thomas Frank’s side have began to struggle of late due to injuries and suspension and are without a win in four.

Head-to-head record

The meeting between the two will only be the 16th time the sides have met in competitive action, dating back to their first head-to-head in 1935.

And in more recent times, the Bees have had Villa’s number.

The claret & blue haven’t registered a win over Brentford since a 2-1 victory in the 1953 FA Cup.

So, due a win would probably be the right terminology here.

Predicted line-ups

Brentford (3-5-2): Fernandez; Pinnock, Jansson, Sorensen; Roerslev, Baptiste, Jensen, Onyeka, Thompson; Wissa, Toney

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Konsa, Targett; McGinn, Luiz, Sanson; Ramsey, Watkins, Buendia

Score prediction

Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa

I can see Brentford’s injury problems being the difference in a tight affair. Villa to nick it by the odd goal.

Bettings odds

Brentford: 2/1

Draw: 9/4

Aston Villa: 7/5

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