Aston Villa continue their top-four push against relegation-battling Brentford at Villa Park.
Victory would see Villa stay fourth in the table, whilst Brentford could go 14th with a win if Crystal Palace lose in the lunchtime kick-off.
Team News
Emiliano Martinez is set to return for Aston Villa after he missed their defeat at Manchester City due to illness.
John McGinn (suspension) is available but Ollie Watkins (hamstring) is doubtful and subject to fitness checks.
Matty Cash (hamstring), Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the side-lines.
Brentford will welcome Christian Norgaard (back) and Ethan Pinnock (ankle) back into contention if pass late fitness tests.
Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Kevin Schade (adductor), Ben Mee (ankle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Villa host Brentford at Villa Park on Saturday 6 April at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have lost one of five previous Premier League meetings against Brentford (W2, D2, L1).
- Brentford have dropped five out of a maximum six points in their two previous Premier League visits to Villa (D1, L1).
- Both teams have scored in four of their five previous Premier League meetings.
- No Villa player has been utilised as a substitute on more occasions in the league this season than Jhon Duran and Youri Tielemans, who have both made 15 appearances from the bench.
- Yoane Wissa has put more shots onto target than any other Brentford player this season, having converted 20 of his 58 shots onto goal.
Prediction
After a series of defensive errors and wasteful finishing cost them a possible point at Man City, Villa now need to reset and refocus because they coped well without Watkins but just need more composure in their end product and tidier defending.
Brentford meanwhile tactically earned their draw against Brighton in a game where both teams largely cancelled each other out, with the Bees’ compact play frustrating Brighton’s wide attack but they really need to start finding wins now if want to avoid a nervy final few weeks.
Villa though should just have too much if can play like they have done lately and avoid another defensive meltdown and show better finishing, but Brentford will certainly make it difficult to break down if can play more like they did against Manchester United last weekend.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford
Result: Aston Villa 3-3 Brentford
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