We have four fixtures to enjoy in the English Premier League on the 17th of December, including the meeting between Brentford and Aston Villa.
The game will be played at the LNER Community Stadium and the hosts begin the weekend in 11th place on 19 points while the visitors are in 3rd place on 35 points.
Job done. ✅ #UECL pic.twitter.com/w8tEeb76XL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 14, 2023
Job done. ✅ #UECL pic.twitter.com/w8tEeb76XL
Brentford come into the game on the back of a hugely disappointing 1-0 loss against bottom of the table Sheffield United last weekend.
It appeared the first half was going to end goalless but the Blades struck in the second minute of added time to take the lead. Brentford could not make the breakthrough in the second half.
The loss at Sheffield United means Brentford have won only 1 of their 5 most recent fixtures, all of which have been played in the Premier League.
The victory came at home over Luton Town but there have been defeats at Liverpool and Brighton plus at home to Arsenal.
Trends show Brentford have a good record of 17 undefeated games in their last 20 home encounters in the Premier League.
They have won 3 of their last 4 home Premier League matches, with the wins coming over Burnley, West Ham, and Luton. Both teams have scored in 6 of Brentford’s 8 most recent league games on home soil.
Aston Villa travel to the LNER Community Stadium having been held to a 1-1 draw at Zrinjski in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
Aston Villa were already guaranteed to be in Europe in the new year and the point was enough to see them finish top of the group. It is worth noting that Unai Emery made changes to his regular starting XI.
The draw in Bosnia means Aston Villa are undefeated in their 8 most recent fixtures in all competitions.
There have been wins over Fulham, Manchester City, and Arsenal at home plus Tottenham Hotspur away in the Premier League.
Aston Villa also beat AZ and Legia Warsaw at home in the Europa Conference League. There have been two draws including Bournemouth away in the Premier League.
The one major concern for Aston Villa is their away form in the Premier League.
They have won only 3 of their last 12 away league matches but they are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 Premier League games on the road.
Trends show both teams have scored in 3 of Aston Villa’s 4 most recent away trips in the league.
Team news: Brentford continue without suspended striker Ivan Toney. Bryan Mbeumo, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, and Aaron Hickey are injured plus there are doubts over the fitness of Mathias Jensen and Joshua Da Silva.
Aston Villa are without the suspended duo of Douglas Luiz and Lucas Digne. Kortney Hause, Tyrone Mings, Bertrand Traore, and Emiliano Buendia are injured.
This has the makings of a tough game for Aston Villa, especially as their away from does not match that of their home results.
However, Aston Villa are currently one of the form teams in the Premier League and even if they concede in this game, should have enough to come away with an important win.