Brentford faced a difficult beginning, prompting Andrews to strive for a balance between ideological beliefs and pragmatic decision-making.
Aston Villa and Brentford are set to face off in the Premier League, with both teams looking to start their season on a positive note.
For Villa, striker Ollie Watkins has been a standout player, particularly in London. In his seven Premier League appearances against Brentford, Watkins has racked up seven goal contributions, scoring six goals and providing one assist. The English forward was also a key threat last season, registering 24 goal involvements (16 goals, eight assists), ranking seventh for goals in the division. However, Watkins has not scored against Brentford recently, with their last match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Villa's season opener against Newcastle United saw them held to a goalless draw, and they also registered their lowest shot count in a Premier League game since May 2024 against Brighton. The team will be hoping to improve their attacking performance against Brentford.
Brentford, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season. They lost their first match of the 2025-26 Premier League season to Nottingham Forest but have been unbeaten in their opening home games in the Premier League for nine seasons. Their defense, known for its solid work under Thomas Frank, conceded from a corner last weekend, their first such goal from set-pieces in two games.
Brentford have strengthened their squad this season with the signing of Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth in a deal reportedly worth £42m. The Ivorian midfielder tallied 11 goal involvements (seven goals, four assists) last season, helping Bournemouth to their highest Premier League finish of ninth.
Keith Andrews, the new coach, has emphasized the need to balance ideology with pragmatism. Brentford have scored at least two goals in each of their previous opening home games in the Premier League. Opta's win probability for the match predicts Aston Villa to have a 43.4% chance of winning, Brentford a 31.1% chance, and a 25.4% chance of a draw.
With both teams looking to secure their first win of the season, this promises to be an exciting matchup. Fans can expect a close contest, with Ollie Watkins and Dango Ouattara likely to be key players to watch.
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