Brentford face Aston Villa on Saturday for the last of a sequence that has seen 3 league games played out in just eight days.
Following the scintillating 1-1 draw with Manchester United and then the somewhat more somnolent 0-0 with Brighton, Thomas Frank will be looking to make it another match unbeaten when we step out at Villa Park. A task made all the trickier given the Villan’s relentless form (only checked during the midweek humping at Manchester City) in the quest for a Champions League spot. That in itself, a race now down to five teams after hapless United ended their own already paper-thin chances in comedic fashion at Chelsea.
The good news for Brentford, no new injuries aside, is all around Kevin Schade. Thomas Frank used Thursday’s press conference to drop the biggest hint yet about a possible return, saying that the player “Could be available and that’s something I need to think about for Saturday. It will be very good to have him back. That pace he’s got is incredible.”
This IS wonderful news although recent match previews have seen the Bees’ head coach drop overly positive hints. We all know how gingerly Schade will be nursed back into the team (just look at Bryan’s three starts since his return – all late on from the bench) and this can only be more of the same. Exciting though it will be to have him back, don’t expect any starts just yet. Especially with games against relegation-haunted Sheffield United, Luton and Everton to follow.
One suspects it will be more of the same in defence – perhaps Reguilón returning to left wing back the only switch there. KLP and Bryan Mbeumo will both be pushing for a starting berth higher up the line although which way Thomas Frank’s mind will be working remains to be seen. Personally speaking, I’d suspect he’ll opt for a more cautious start and then throw on the pace merchants later in the game but who knows. The big reveal at 2pm on Saturday will be telling.
For Aston Villa, injuries are the obvious topic of conversation with Ollie Watkins and his hamstring top of an ever-growing list. He’s rated 50/50 to start this one after missing out midweek and whilst we obviously wish no ill will on our former player, the sight of him missing can only be well received in TW8.
Albeit, there may be more than a few Brentford supporters with points to prove after the ‘set to’ at the home end, following his late winner at the Gtech in December. Ollie channelling his inner James Maddison in celebration was a sight matched only by the subsequent theatrics from Emi Martinez (should have been red-carded) and Boubacar Kamara (was red-carded).
Then again, that late sequence one instigated by the wonderful talents of Neal Maupay doing what we love him for. Football fans have long memories and one suspects his presence will only inspire both sets of supporters to increase what will already be a raucous atmosphere.
As for the rest of the Villa squad, there will be huge interest in Unai Emery’s Friday press conference. They are blighted by injury at present with squad depth massively tailing off after what remains of the starting XI. It is a pain Brentford know only too well but, perhaps, offers a glimmer of hope in a game where the Bees will be considered very much the underdogs by most outsiders.
Whatever. It’s a position we love and, as a rule, generally thrive in. The bigger they come, the harder they fall. Just ask Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United. We’ve beaten the best that the Premier League can throw at us in recent seasons. And also Spurs.
Here’s to Saturday afternoon and the chance to bring down yet another of football’s most famous names.
