• Brentford were beaten 3-1 at Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend

• Villa were held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle in their opener

• Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win

Keith Andrews endured a torrid first match in charge of Brentford as his new-look Bees were well beaten 3-1 at Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Andrews will certainly want to see more attacking intent from his side, but so too will Unai Emery, whose Villa team managed to fire off just three shots in a dismal 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

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Team news

Dango Ouattara has been earmarked for a slot on the right of the Brentford attack after signing from Brentford.

Kevin Schade should be fit to start after coming off the bench at Forest while Gustavo Nunes, Vitaly Janelt and wantaway Yoane Wissa will not feature.

Ezri Konsa's suspension should mean Pau Torres returning to Villa's back four while Emi Buendia, Donyell Malan and Evan Guessand will all be hoping to be promoted off the bench following their side's toothless 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

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The stats

Brentford are winless in six against Villa and have not kept a clean sheet against them in eight.

There were 75 goals scored at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League in 2024-25, the most of any venue.

Ollie Watkins has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 18 Premier League appearances in London for Villa (11 goals, 2 assists).

Villa managed just three shots at home to Newcastle, the lowest of any side on matchday one.

The latest Brentford vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Respective bosses Andrews and Emery had much to mull over following false starts to the season a week ago but it is worth trusting the Villa head coach to get it right second time around.

Bees old boy Ollie Watkins leads the line of a Villa side which will surely have a different look to the forward group after they fluffed their lines against Newcastle.

Keeping 11 men on the pitch would also improve their chances, as they were forced to play the last half hour of the 0-0 draw with only 10 following Ezri Konsa's red card.

At least Villa have a point on the board, which is one more than Brentford, who were three down and decisively beaten by the time Igor Thiago scored his first for the club against Forest.

With Ouattara signed and Schade fit at least Andrews has more options in attack, but this is a tough baptism for the new boss of Brentford, who have an awful record against the Villans.

If we know anything about Emery it is that he quickly learns lessons, so rather than expect a repeat of last week's non-event, invest in Villa hitting back hard and winning on the road.

Back Aston Villa to win at 21/20 with LiveScoreBet

The latest Brentford vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet