You can’t help but be impressed by Brentford’s upward trajectory under Keith Andrews.
The Bees have only pushed on since the Irishman landed the top job in the summer of 2025. Many raised eyebrows at the appointment given Andrews had no prior managerial experience on his CV. But an attractive style of football and a ninth-placed finish in 2025-26 was a slight improvement on 10th the campaign prior, under Thomas Frank, although they narrowly missed out on Europe on the final day.
Many wondered whether they were able to push on and go again this season. The answer has been emphatic. The season has started out superbly and they sit fourth in the standings ahead of a trip to Villa Park this weekend. They are still unbeaten in the Premier League and through to the Carabao Cup last-16.
There is a real confidence about them and an understanding between the group. That shows with the level of their performances. Off the field the club are credited as being one of the best run in Europe thanks to their canny approach to recruitment and now on the field they are preparing to reach new heights.
Andrews’ men produced arguably one of the performances of the season just before the international break, swatting aside Chelsea 3-0. After watching and enjoying that performance, Andrews reflected: “I think it is important you enjoy nights like this. The club, fans and team is invested in the journey. I love how we go about it.”
A win over Villa would potentially lift them as high as second, if results elsewhere on Saturday are favourable.
These are heady days in this corner of West London although Andrews, understandably, is taking nothing for granted ahead of Saturday.
“Unai Emery is an exceptional coach,” said Andrews. “I thought they played well against Tottenham in the last game and clearly the work that they’re doing is coming to fruition.
“We’re very aware it’s going to be a very difficult game. But equally, it’s a game we’re looking forward to playing.”
In terms of team news for the visitors, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva remain out with Nathan Collins, Mathias Jensen and Sepp van den Berg all “close” to returning.
As for Villa, they went into the extended break basking in the glory of a much-needed first league win of the campaign.
They beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 although the scoreline suggested the game was closer than it actually was, given Spurs scored two late consolation goals.
That was an important result for Villa with Emery under the first real signs of pressure since his arrival in the Midlands four years ago. Villa have never lost three successive home league games under the Spaniard and will be eager to avoid that against Brentford here.
With the resumption of their Champions League campaign on the horizon, Villa will be keen to get their league form properly up-and-running – especially on home soil.
Emery said: “We have to build our structure as fast as possible. I’m happy with how we finished our matches in Brugge, Coventry and Tottenham, but we played a very s*** match against (Nottingham) Forest at home. How we can react and change our performance at home is very important.”
Leon Goretzka is still waiting for his Villa debut as he recovers from a knee injury.
Providing the latest on the German and a more broader team news update, Emery said: “Leon is training with us on Monday and Thursday. I don’t know if he will be available on Wednesday (Champions League match). Hopefully, he can be ready in a few days to get this consistency of training and to be included in the squad.
“He is important, Goretzka. He has experience at the high level. He joined us to help us with his experience and with his quality. He is a player who can give us a lot of things. Firstly, it is about how he is being fit.
“Amadou Onana is out for a long time but is progressing well. Ian Maatsen is also still out, and Modou Keba Cisse will start to train next week. Goretzka and Brian Madjo are training with the group from last week, and we are recovering some players.”
