Aston Villa vs Brentford Prediction: Can the Bees sting the Villans?

Aston Villa will be hoping to end their eight-game winless run across all competitions when they welcome Brentford to Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday (20:15, Prime Video). Unai Emery's side were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Chelsea at the weekend and their last win in any competition came back in October.

The Bees were 4-1 winners over Leicester City last time out but the Bees are still looking to turn their fortunes around on the road. Read on for my Aston Villa vs Brentford prediction, alongside the latest match odds and team news.

Aston Villa vs Brentford Odds

Aston Villa are 5/6 (54.5%) to get back to winning ways, but just two of their five wins this term have come on home soil. Brentford are valued at 3/1 to win their first away game of the season, giving them an implied probability of 25%.

The draw is available at the same price as a Brentford victory.

Both teams to score, which has landed in four of Villa's six home games to date, is on offer at 4/7. Over 2.5 goals, a winning selection in four of Brentford's six away trips, can be backed at the same odds.

Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have both netted eight goals in the Premier League so far, and they are 12/5 and 9/4 respectively to score anytime on Wednesday.

Football Odds

Team News

Aston Villa could be without their number one goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, against the Bees. The Argentina international was forced off at half-time at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, so Robin Olsen could be in line for a rare Premier League start.

Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey are the other two players in the medical bay, leaving Villa light in midfield and attacking areas. Boubacar Kamara is back from injury but he might not be fit enough to hack the physical toll of the three-game week, so Ross Barkley could partner Youri Tielemans in the middle for this one.

Ramsey's absence has led to John McGinn playing a more advanced role than usual, to which supporters don't feel is getting the best out of the Scotsman. He should occupy the left flank, with Leon Bailey on the right and Morgan Rogers through the middle.

Striker Ollie Watkins' performances aren't quite living up to last year, so we could see Jhon Duran lead the line at Villa Park for this one. Watkins appears to have Emery's trust for now, and he does have six goals for the campaign in the top flight.

Brentford attacker Kevin Schade netted a hat-trick last time out, so he should keep his place in attack, as should Wissa, Mbeumo and Mikkel Damsgaard - who has been a revelation so far this season. Igor Thiago is nearing full fitness, so he will likely be limited to a spot on the bench in B6.

Thomas Frank remains without the services of Gustavo Nunes, Kristoffer Ajer, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and Josh Dasilva due to injury, however. Mathias Jensen was forced off at the weekend with a problem, so he could be added to the injury list.

Vitaly Janelt would likely come into the midfield if the Dane is sidelined.

Price Boost - Brentford to win or draw, Bryan Mbeumo to score & John McGinn 2+ tackles @ 8/1 13/2

Brentford's home form has been excellent in the Premier League, with six wins from seven at the Gtech Community Stadium. This has helped them rise to eighth in the table, but to climb further, they need to sort their away form.

The Bees have lost six of their seven matches on the road, drawing the other. If they can turn this around, they could make a valid claim for the European spots this year, because their home form doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon.

I think Brentford will be sensing a great opportunity to get a rare result on the road at Villa on Wednesday, because of how underwhelming the hosts have been for over a month. It looks like the added Champions League fixtures are having an impact on Emery's side, as well as the absence of some of last year's heroes - namely Moussa Diaby, Douglas Luiz and Nicolo Zaniolo.

It feels similar to what happened with Newcastle United last term in the campaign that followed their top-four finish. The Magpies ended 2023/24 in seventh. With the festive period coming up, with a relentless schedule of matches, Villa need to turn their form around quickly if they wish to maintain a top-four side.

After a flat performance at Chelsea, I'm expecting a response from them, but I don't think it will be enough to win. Brentford are in better form, even if they have been struggling on the road. I think they have a better shot of winning this one, but I think the draw feels more realistic.

The next leg of the price boost includes a scorer. Mbeumo has been in fine form for the visitors with eight goals already, and he will pose a huge threat to a dishevelled Villa back line on Wednesday. He's gone four league games without a goal so I do believe he is overdue one here.

Lastly, he may be playing higher up the pitch but I'm still expecting a lot of the gritty work from McGinn. With the way that Brentford like to play on the break, moving quickly from defence, McGinn will likely be drawn into a few duels.

He has made 10 tackles so far this term, averaging 1.44 per 90. I think this figure could be raised against a potent Brentford front four.

Youri Tielemans to receive a card @ 4/1

Another Villa midfielder I'm expecting to be busy in this clash is Tielemans. The Belgian has been no stranger to being penalised this season, having committed 19 (1.61 per 90)  fouls already - the most of his claret and blue cohort.

He has received three yellow cards so far this campaign. He's one card away from their being jeopardy as a result of the five-booking accumulation law that would hand him a one-game suspension should this threshold be reached before the 19-game mark.

Tielemans will feel as though he is still able to take a few risks in the challenge, which I think he will need against a Brentford side that spring quickly on the break.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Place a pre-match single bet on the first goalscorer market and get DOUBLE or TREBLE the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd.

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League game on Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement)

Build your own Bet Builder bet (3/1+) of 4+ legs on any Premier League game on Wednesday and get 50% of your stake back in Free Bets up to £5 if you lose. (Credited within 24 hours)