Breaking news: No Martinez, Bailey returns – Aston Villa’s predicted XI vs travelsick Brentford…
Aston Villa will target a much-needed victory against Brentford on Wednesday night after going eight matches without a win in all competitions.
They’ve drawn two and lost three of their last five Premier League games, which is currently the joint-longest streak without a victory in the top-flight, level with Everton and Leicester City. Unai Emery’s side were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea on Sunday, which followed back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and then Juventus in the Champions League.
Villa’s two home matches this week come against the two teams who have the joint-worst away records this season. Brentford (six matches) and Southampton (seven matches) have each only taken one point from their away games, conceding 25 goals combined.
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Villa were handed a big injury blow on Sunday when Emi Martinez came off injured. Emery will give an update on the goalkeeper in today’s press conference ahead of facing Brentford, but he is expected to miss the match.
Robin Olsen should therefore start instead after he came off the bench to replace Martinez at Stamford Bridge. Joe Gauci travelled with the squad, but wasn’t named on the substitutes bench.
In defence, Emery could name an unchanged back four even though Tyrone Mings will surely come into his thinking if improvements aren’t made. In midfield, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans will likely continue in the double pivot.
Amadou Onana could return to the squad, while Ross Barkley will feel like he deserves a start after scoring against Bournemouth and Palace. Jaden Philogene was given the nod ahead of Leon Bailey to face Chelsea, but Emery will likely reverse that decision for Brentford.
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