Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Smirker on January 30, 2026, 12:57:56 PM

Title: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Smirker on January 30, 2026, 12:57:56 PM
Sunday 2pm.

Let's close the gap to one point.

FTF 8)

Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: taylorsworkrate on January 30, 2026, 01:08:43 PM
3-1 win

Watkins 2
Tammy 1
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Ads on January 30, 2026, 01:09:14 PM
Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen

Onana
Luiz

Sancho
Bailey

Rogers
Tammy
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Demitri_C on January 30, 2026, 01:09:22 PM
I cannot wait for this.  Wish it wasn't a sunday ad i would be coming for it
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on January 30, 2026, 01:09:22 PM
Draw, 1-1.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: eamonn on January 30, 2026, 01:12:24 PM
We owe them a shellacking, they beat us twice in August when we were shit. Keith Andrews curls must be shorn.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 30, 2026, 01:15:21 PM
I don't think Ollie will play. Tammy, Doug and Leon in a 3-0 win. Something like that. Scott Hogan for them.

Edit: 3-1. Not 3-0. We don’t do many clean sheets.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Dave on January 30, 2026, 01:16:03 PM
My daughter's first game since Villa 0 - 3 Palace.

You can all thank me later.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Demitri_C on January 30, 2026, 01:19:37 PM
I don't think Ollie will play. Tammy, Doug and Leon in a 3-0 win. Something like that. Scott Hogan for them.

Thats a shame as ollie loves scoring past them
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: brontebilly on January 30, 2026, 01:20:28 PM
Martinez

Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen

Onana
Luiz

Sancho
Bailey

Rogers
Tammy

Buendia motm last game dropped? Bailey ahead of Sancho for me on right. Bench -  hopefully Barkley back but options are going to be light in midfield and up top. Bizot, Lindelof, Mings, Digne, Sancho, Barkley, Elliot, Young, JJ
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 30, 2026, 02:08:27 PM
6-0
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 30, 2026, 02:09:45 PM
Brentford's next three games: Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal.

No prizes for guessing which of those three the game-raising twats try hardest in.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Pete3206 on January 30, 2026, 02:10:33 PM
1-1
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: UK Redsox on January 30, 2026, 02:50:37 PM
Emi 1

Cash
Ezri
Pau
Maat

Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo
Onana

Emi 2
Morgs
Leon

Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: rob_bridge on January 30, 2026, 03:05:58 PM
Wouldn;t start Luiz and either Sancho or Bailey

Ollie if fit v former club - his record is good recently
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 30, 2026, 03:12:21 PM
Need to dominate the midfield against these thugs which is unfortunate given that our first seventeen midfielders are out injured.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Legion on January 30, 2026, 03:26:59 PM
4-0
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 30, 2026, 03:32:22 PM
Cash Konsa Pau Maatsen
 Borgade  Onana.
Sanjo Rogers Buendia
       Tammy
       
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Border villan on January 30, 2026, 03:34:25 PM
Cash Konsa Pau Maatsen
 Borgade  Onana.
Sanjo Rogers Buendia
       Tammy
       
Having no goalkeeper should give Brentford a fighting chance.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 30, 2026, 03:38:22 PM
I would start Doug over Bogarde
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Dave on January 30, 2026, 03:42:49 PM
Pretty sure Emery will too.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 30, 2026, 03:43:39 PM
I'd go with Bogarde.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: brontebilly on January 30, 2026, 03:48:37 PM
When Bogarde and Onana played together in the EL they were a poor combo. Almost certain Luiz will start for that reason and hopefully gives us a solid 70-75 mins. Bailey and Tammy I think will start too. Think it's the ideal game for Tammy, they will sit in I expect but Collins always has a mistake in him.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on January 30, 2026, 04:02:49 PM
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 30, 2026, 04:10:04 PM
My daughter's first game since Villa 0 - 3 Palace.

You can all thank me later when I leave her at home.

FTFY  ;)
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PaulTheVillan on January 30, 2026, 04:34:01 PM
Emi 1

Cash
Ezri
Pau
Maat

Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo
Onana

Emi 2
Morgs
Leon

Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham

This is the team.

3-1 win.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Brend'Watkins on January 30, 2026, 05:33:22 PM
Start Tammy as he’s the natural replacement. I’d have started him in any case regardless of Ollie’s condition.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: olaftab on January 30, 2026, 05:43:33 PM
KOTBA has to start on Sunday....no ifs no buts.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: rob_bridge on January 30, 2026, 06:47:57 PM
KOTBA has to start on Sunday....no ifs no buts.

Do a Cartlon Cole and score on his Premier League debut for us.
Not do a Carlton Cole the rest of the time.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Crown Hill on January 30, 2026, 07:23:13 PM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: VancouverLion on January 30, 2026, 07:40:09 PM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?
Pau?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: olaftab on January 30, 2026, 07:41:49 PM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?
No starters but....
Pau Torres was signed in 2023 summer transfer window and came on in the first game at newcastle when Mings was hacked  down.

"On 11 January 2023, 29-year-old Moreno joined Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal; he was given the number 15 shirt. He made his league debut two days later, replacing the injured Lucas Digne early into an eventual 2–1 home win over Leeds United
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Crown Hill on January 30, 2026, 07:48:12 PM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?
Pau?

He was sub wasn’t he when Mings went off at Newscastle?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Crown Hill on January 30, 2026, 07:49:32 PM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?
No starters but....
Pau Torres was signed in 2023 summer transfer window and came on in the first game at newcastle when Mings was hacked  down.

"On 11 January 2023, 29-year-old Moreno joined Premier League club Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal; he was given the number 15 shirt. He made his league debut two days later, replacing the injured Lucas Digne early into an eventual 2–1 home win over Leeds United

Same even with Rashford and Asensio so I do wonder if Douglas Luiz will start even with his past connection.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on January 30, 2026, 08:26:10 PM
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Onana
Bogarde
Beundia
Abraham
Rogers
Sancho

4-0 (Rogers 2, Abraham, Bailey from the bench)
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Richard on January 30, 2026, 08:59:26 PM
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Onana
Bogarde
Beundia
Abraham
Rogers
Sancho

4-0 (Rogers 2, Abraham, Bailey from the bench)

Yeah think that's the starting XI with subs:

Bizot
Lindelof
Mings
Digne
Dougie
Elliott
Bailey
Barkley
Jimoah
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Crown Hill on January 30, 2026, 09:15:28 PM
Sounds like Ollie is fit to be in the squad.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Ozzjim on January 31, 2026, 08:48:37 AM
I reckon Luiz will start. Emery will want him up to speed as quickly as possible, so can see him and Onana starting. Also reckon Bailey might get the nod on the right, his pace is going to be huge for us over the next few months if we can get him in any sort of form.

Any concern over Watkins, Abraham must start.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Garyth on January 31, 2026, 08:56:55 AM
If Ollie is anywhere near fit, I think he will play at least 45 min.

Due to the midweek game, Abraham has had practically no time to learn build up patterns and what will be asked of him in terms off the ball runs etc.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 31, 2026, 09:00:41 AM
I think it will be Onana and Bogarde deep and I do notthinktheywill rush Ollie back.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on January 31, 2026, 09:01:43 AM
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Onana
Bogarde
Beundia
Abraham
Rogers
Sancho


Yep
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Dante Lavelli on January 31, 2026, 09:22:36 AM
So they have any injuries?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Villa in Denmark on January 31, 2026, 09:26:05 AM
So they have any injuries?
Mikkel Damsgaard according the Danish press.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: brontebilly on January 31, 2026, 09:47:55 AM
Who was the last Emery signing who went straight into the starting XI ?

Diaby scored on his debut didn't he?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Ger Regan on January 31, 2026, 10:09:08 AM
My daughter's first game since Villa 0 - 3 Palace.

You can all thank me later.
Will be my wife's first ever game. We can probably share the thanks.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Somniloquism on January 31, 2026, 10:24:19 AM
So they have any injuries?
Mikkel Damsgaard according the Danish press.

Him and their CB Ajer went off on 37 mins last week.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: eye digress on January 31, 2026, 12:05:44 PM
My daughter's first game since Villa 0 - 3 Palace.

You can all thank me later.

My daughter made her "VP debut" at the United game before Christmas. Was fearing she might want to leave after the fireworks, but no, 2 hours of unalloyed joy. Still buzzing from it!
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: eye digress on January 31, 2026, 12:07:16 PM
Brentford's next three games: Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal.

No prizes for guessing which of those three the game-raising twats try hardest in.
Brentford "enemies" on the list?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 31, 2026, 12:23:02 PM
Absolutely.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: kippaxvilla2 on January 31, 2026, 03:43:57 PM
Watkins didn’t seem to be in training from the photos earlier.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: dave.woodhall on January 31, 2026, 04:30:47 PM
Brentford's next three games: Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal.

No prizes for guessing which of those three the game-raising twats try hardest in.

Do you think it's Villa all these clubs have got it in for, or you personally?
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: olaftab on January 31, 2026, 05:10:02 PM
Brentford's next three games: Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal.

No prizes for guessing which of those three the game-raising twats try hardest in.
Arsenal. I don't think we matter on that scale.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on January 31, 2026, 05:10:36 PM
Brentford's next three games: Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal.

No prizes for guessing which of those three the game-raising twats try hardest in.

Do you think it's Villa all these clubs have got it in for, or you personally?

I'm not ruling out either possibility.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Ger Regan on January 31, 2026, 05:19:48 PM
Staying in the same hotel as the Brentford team. Strategic fire alarm issue at 4am it is.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: BoVillan esq on January 31, 2026, 08:21:57 PM
First things first, no slow starts, going for a win, Tammy to score on his debut, Luiz to be a total rock in the midfield area, here we go.

3-1 Villa
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on January 31, 2026, 08:33:51 PM
I really hope our fans are up for it tomorrow. It will be a tough test, Brentford will fancy their chances against an injury hit Villa midfield. Expecting Tammy and especially Dougie to just hit top gear is wishful thinking.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: dorsetvillian on January 31, 2026, 08:35:08 PM
Agree Villa Park needs to be up for tomorrow...
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 31, 2026, 09:06:41 PM
I really hope our fans are up for it tomorrow. It will be a tough test, Brentford will fancy their chances against an injury hit Villa midfield. Expecting Tammy and especially Dougie to just hit top gear is wishful thinking.

Yep the last two home performances have been a bit wobbly. We need a collective big performance tomorrow.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: eamonn on January 31, 2026, 09:26:56 PM
Staying in the same hotel as the Brentford team. Strategic fire alarm issue at 4am it is.

Turn the Irish charm on Kelleher, Collins and their gaffer, the Artane Lindsey Buckingham. A few after-hours whiskeys at the residents bar should do the trick.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: brontebilly on January 31, 2026, 10:24:53 PM
Pressure back on us tomorrow after those results. Any kind of win will do but I'm confident our new/old boys are going to do the business.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: walsall villain on January 31, 2026, 10:36:26 PM
Pressure back on us tomorrow after those results. Any kind of win will do but I'm confident our new/old boys are going to do the business.
If you are at the top end you have to keep winning. Don’t think other results involving top teams affects things, you’d expect them to win and they did.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on January 31, 2026, 10:57:43 PM
Well today was thoroughly shit. We need to do our bit tomorrow.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on January 31, 2026, 11:03:49 PM
Well today was thoroughly shit. We need to do our bit tomorrow.

In a way, it’s also what was expected. There will be weekends like that, we need to do our bit to match it. Our last home game in the league was rubbish, we need to revert to what we’ve been.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Steve67 on February 01, 2026, 07:16:48 AM
Not sure Barkley will feature today but would like to see him Onana and Luiz together with Morgan and Emi2 behind Ollie or Tammy.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: ChicagoLion on February 01, 2026, 07:37:09 AM
It’s going to be very tough, they are functional, dirty and well organised.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Goldenballs on February 01, 2026, 09:58:05 AM
Probably say this every game, and it probably applies to every game ever played, but could do with an early nerve settling goal here.

I thought they were nailed on to go down, he's done a great job tbf.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: LeeS on February 01, 2026, 10:28:58 AM
On a Birmingham bound train from Marylebone with my 8 year old lad. Back in my season ticket holding days this would have been a routine visit to VP. Nowadays it feels like a proper treat. I can’t wait. A comfortable win, please.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on February 01, 2026, 10:46:37 AM
On a Birmingham bound train from Marylebone with my 8 year old lad. Back in my season ticket holding days this would have been a routine visit to VP. Nowadays it feels like a proper treat. I can’t wait. A comfortable win, please.

I hope you can enjoy it and it is that comfortable win. Nothing like the ropey Everton performance please.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Nev on February 01, 2026, 11:23:42 AM
Didn't realise it was such a high profile game. The Rozzers are casing the pubs in Town.

Be on your guard lads, Brentford Nylons on the rampage.
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: Rigadon on February 01, 2026, 12:35:41 PM
Didn't realise it was such a high profile game. The Rozzers are casing the pubs in Town.

Be on your guard lads, Brentford Nylons on the rampage.

Er, Nev.  You know we don’t drink in town don’t you?   
Title: Re: Aston Villa vs Brentford pre-match thread
Post by: rob_bridge on February 01, 2026, 12:38:45 PM
En route with my lad.

3 points please. Tempted to match fire in midfield and play Onana Bogarde and Luiz.
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