Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Brentford and Aston Villa sit just one place apart in the Premier League standings, with Brentford in 11th. However, even a win here wouldn’t see them leapfrog the visitors, as Aston Villa hold a four-point advantage. Despite this, the home side are favoured to take something from the match.
Brentford
Brentford have had significantly more time to prepare for this fixture. After being knocked out of the FA Cup early and not competing in Europe, they haven’t played since 26 February. The hosts have used this break to recover and fine-tune their approach, making them a well-rested and dangerous opponent.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are juggling a demanding schedule across three competitions—Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. Since Brentford’s last match, they have played twice, most recently securing a hard-fought 2:0 win against Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League tie on 4 March. However, that victory came with some fortune. Aston Villa managed 12.7 xG and seven shots to Club Brugge’s 11, and an own goal combined with a late penalty secured the two-goal cushion. With the second leg looming next week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some form of squad rotation or a lower-intensity performance in the league.
Brentford vs Aston Villa Prediction
With Aston Villa potentially managing their energy levels and Brentford fully rested, the hosts are well-positioned to take advantage. They have been strong at home, and Aston Villa’s recent schedule could take its toll.
