Aston Villa host Brentford seeking first home win

Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday when Brentford visit Villa Park for a 3pm kick-off, with the hosts looking to end a run of two straight home defeats in the league.

Unai Emery's side won their last two outings — against Coventry City in the Carabao Cup and Tottenham Hotspur in the league — before the international break, and will aim for a third consecutive victory across all competitions.

Brentford arrive in strong form, unbeaten in five league games this season and sitting fourth in the table after a 3-0 home win over Chelsea before the break. Keith Andrews' side have not lost in their last seven league games (W2 D5), the longest active unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Villa's home record against Brentford reads W4 D6 L1 in 11 Premier League meetings, though the Bees won 1-0 at Villa Park last season — and completed the double over Emery's side in 2024/25.

Statistically, Villa have struggled in front of goal this campaign, recording the fewest shots (48), shots on target (12) and touches in the opposition box (81) in the 2026/27 Premier League, while also ranking bottom for overall xG (4.65). Brentford, by contrast, lead the division for set-piece xG (3.82).

Young forward Johan Manzambi, who scored and assisted on his first Premier League start against Tottenham on matchday five, could become the youngest player to score in each of his first two Villa starts in the competition, and the first since Danny Ings in 2021/22.

Emery confirmed that Ian Maatsen and Modou Kéba Cissé remain sidelined, joining long-term absentee Amadou Onana. Leon Goretzka has returned to group training but will not feature on Saturday.

For Brentford, Mikkel Damsgaard is set for a spell out after picking up an injury on international duty. Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jensen are edging closer to returns but remain unavailable, while Dango Ouattara is listed as a doubt.