Unbeaten Brentford visit Villa Park seeking to pile on Villa's home woes
Bees flying high under Keith Andrews
Aston Villa host Brentford this weekend in the Premier League, with the visitors arriving in fine form. Villa claimed their first win against Tottenham before the international break, while Keith Andrews' side are flying high as they sit fourth in the standings and remain unbeaten.
Brentford thumped London rivals Chelsea 3-0 in their last league match, moving them up to nine points after five games, with Vitaly Janelt key to their strong start. Janelt has started all five of Brentford's Premier League matches, while also boasting team-high totals for successful passes (184) and tackles won (10).
His fine form saw him called up to Jurgen Klopp's Germany squad for the very first time, and Janelt believes his time at Brentford has been the best in his career so far.
"We feel very comfortable here," Janelt said. "The journey is not just being promoted and playing Premier League football – it's the other side as well.
"Having a nice life outside of football, having a baby and a good wife. It's all a big puzzle. I can't complain at all. It's the best time in my football career.
"I'm at a point now where I know what matters and what I want to do. I feel more clearly about what is right for my family."
Players to watch
Aston Villa – Johan Manzambi: Against Spurs last time out, Manzambi became the second player to both score and assist on their first Premier League start for Villa, after Kevin Phillips in 2005-06. The 20-year-old could become the youngest player to net on both of their first two starts for the Villans in the competition, and the first overall since Danny Ings in 2021-22.
Brentford – Dango Ouattara: Last season against Villa, Ouattara became the first player to score home and away in 1-0 wins against the same team in a Premier League campaign since Raheem Sterling for Manchester City against Arsenal in 2020-21. No Bees player has netted three winning goals against the same opponent in the competition, though Ouattara will be out to change that at Villa Park.
Match prediction: Aston Villa win
Villa have lost just one of their 11 home league games against Brentford (W4 D6), though it was a 1-0 defeat in this exact fixture last season. The Villans have, however, lost both of their top-flight games at Villa Park this season. Only in 1946-47 and 1969-70 have they ever been beaten in their opening three home matches of a league campaign.
Emery's side have also recorded the fewest shots (48), shots on target (12) and touches in the opposition box (81) in the 2026-27 Premier League. They also rank bottom for overall expected goals (4.65 xG) and xG from set-pieces (0.39).
Brentford, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last seven league games (W2 D5), the longest active run in the Premier League. Only between October 2022 and March 2023 have they had a better streak without defeat in the competition (12 in a row).
The Bees also completed the double over Villa last season, having won just one of their first eight Premier League games against them (D3 L4). Andrews' side have also kicked off a league campaign unbeaten in five games (W2 D3) for the first time since 2013-14 in League One under Uwe Rosler, last having a longer unbeaten streak at the start of a season in 2006-07 under Leroy Rosenior (first seven in the third tier).
Opta win probability
- Aston Villa – 47.8%
- Draw – 26.1%
- Brentford – 26.2%