Aston Villa vs Brentford prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-10-22 13:00.
Thursday night’s 3-0 defeat to Fulham was the last straw for Aston Villa, who sacked Steven Gerrard after that game, with the club now winless in four Premier League (PL) outings (D2, L2) and slipping ominously down the standings. After winning just 32% of his league games in charge, the club is now seeking its third manager inside 12 months.
Gerrard was in trouble even before Villa conceded a penalty, an own goal and had a player sent off all in one PL game for the first time ever as they fell to that Fulham defeat, and fans demanding he leave have got their wish. The club now needs a change in direction to bring about different fortunes as they host Brentford, a side they’ve not beaten anywhere this millennium (D4, L4), although all four of those draws were at home.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank is reportedly one of the contenders to replace Gerrard but with his side occupying a top-half position going into the round, that might seem like a backward step. Speculation could prove an unwelcome distraction after an excellent 0-0 draw with Chelsea in midweek which left him lauding his “brave, cool and aggressive” players.
Performances on the road have been anything but cool though, as they’re still to win a league away fixture this term (D3, L2), slumping to a 5-1 hammering by Newcastle United in their latest road game. A key problem has been an inability to get on the front foot as they conceded first in four of those outings, while the other ended in a goalless draw.
Players to watch: Five of the last seven PL goals Danny Ings (AV) has scored were match openers, including one against Brentford last term, while Ivan Toney has netted six of Brentford’s last eight PL goals, including three penalties in six games.
Hot stat: Villa are yet to win a second half in the PL this term (2H: D6, L5).