Follow live coverage as Brentford face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Brentford FC 1 - 0 Aston Villa FC
Brentford vs Aston Villa
17:11Brentford pick up their first win of the season, holding on to seal a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium. Dango Ouattara enjoyed a dream debut for his new club, scoring the only goal of the afternoon in the 12th minute. Ouattara raced beyond Mings and Torres and saw his initial shot blocked by Martinez, only to capitalise on the rebound, tapping home into an empty net to put Brentford ahead. Damsgaard thought he had extended the Bees’ advantage in the 43rd minute after Kayode’s long throw-in rebounded off Martinez and into the Dane’s path, but a foul from Collins saw the goal chalked off. Villa struggled to find their feet in the first half, failing to match Brentford’s intensity despite seeing more of the ball, but Emery’s side came out reinvigorated after the break. McGinn, Rogers, Tielemans, and Buendia all saw good efforts saved or narrowly off target, though the Villans failed to keep the pressure up across the half, allowing the Bees to close the doors early. Emery’s side finish with an xG of 1.23 compared to Brentford’s 1.27. Next up for Andrews' side in the Premier League is a visit to Sunderland, while Villa host Crystal Palace. That’s all from us tonight, thank you for joining this live commentary. We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
17:01FULL-TIME: BRENTFORD 1-0 ASTON VILLA
Brentford vs Aston Villa
17:01A huge cheer rings around the Gtech now, with the Brentford fans fully believing that they are moments away from their first win of the season. Villa are not giving up, though, with Guessand in particular pushing very hard to win back the ball and spark a late attack.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:59Thiago fluffs a golden chance to seal the game for Brentford, but thankfully for the forward, the flag goes up. Damsgaard did really well to muscle his way past Torres and poke the ball through for his teammate, whose first touch let him down. Martinez was able to come off his line and force Thiago away, though it wouldn't have mattered as the flag goes up immediately.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:56The fourth official indicates that there will be five minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of the match. Can the Bees hold on or will Villa's persistence pay off?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:54Kayode gets an early rest after an impressive performance. Ajer will take his place for the final few minutes.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:56Villa are still pushing hard for a late equaliser, but Brentford have gone into full lock-down mode, looking to shut the door and see out these final few minutes. You get the sense that the Gtech crowd will need to get behind their side now to help them over the line.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:51Ouattara's Brentford debut comes to an end and the forward receives a lovely reception from the home fans. He has put the Bees in an incredible position to secure their first win of the season, and will be replaced by Rico Henry.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:51Bogarde earns himself a booking for a tactical foul, dragging Thiago down to stop play.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:51Watkins fires a shot off target! Villa are asking some questions here, and they have certainly come out for the second half as a much improved side, but that final cutting edge still seems to be missing. Rogers tries to control and shoot from just outside the area, but his shot is blocked strongly by Collins.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:46Yarmoliuk's night comes to an end as well, with Jensen set to take his place in midfield for the final 10 minutes or so.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:46Andrews looks to his bench again and makes a defensive change as full-back Hickey replaces Schade.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:46Following their goalless draw with Newcastle last time out, Villa have now gone two Premier League games without a goal for just the second time under Emery. They haven’t gone three without scoring in the division since July 2020 under Dean Smith. There isn't much time left now, can Villa find a leveller in these final minutes?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:43Buendia, who came on as a first-half substitute, will make way for striker Evann Guessand with just 15 minutes to go. Interestingly, Villa now have all three of their strikers on the pitch at the same time.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:41Emery looks to his bench once more as Villa continue to chase a goal, with Bogarde replacing McGinn in midfield.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:41The game has just slowed down a bit now after Villa's rapid start after the break. Brentford look to be slightly calmer defensively now, having taken more of the ball away from Villa over the last few minutes. With just about 20 minutes left, can the Bees keep their incredible opening-home-match winning streak alive?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:37Brentford make their first change, with Henderson making way for the fresher legs of Frank 'The Tank' Onyeka in midfield.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:37CHANCE MISSED! Ouattara and Thiago combine down the right wing, with the latter sending a nice cross-field pass for Schade to chase. With little support around him, the German drives forward down the left side of the box and fires a hopeful cross-shot with his left foot, but it sails well over the bar. That's a waste of an excellent opportunity there, and Andrews certainly won't be happy seeing that.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:35Brentford have hardly seen any of the ball since the start of the second half, and Andrews will be weary of his side being pegged back too much. The Bees haven't had a shot in the second half yet, though the home fans are certainly spurring them on whenever they can.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:31Emery is readying some substitutes now, with Maatsen and Malen among those warming up. Perhaps we might see a reshuffle of the frontline, with McGinn dropping into the midfield and Malen partnering Watkins up front.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:31Malen comes on for Onana, likely meaning that McGinn will drop into the midfield, with Rogers and Buendia playing in the channel behind Watkins and Malen up front.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:30Maatsen makes his way onto the pitch now, replacing Digne in a like-for-like change at left-back.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:30Brentford, meanwhile, have been forced to absorb some pressure for the first time tonight. The Bees have done well to hold onto their lead, but they will need to be careful. A one-goal lead almost certainly won't be enough if Villa keep playing like this.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:28It looks like Emery has changed things up slightly during the break, with Rogers and Buendia playing more narrow in the central channels, almost as two attacking midfielders behind Watkins, rather than as pure wingers near the touchline as they were in the first half. It's working a treat at the moment, and you get the sense a Villa equaliser might not be far away.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:24Kelleher earns a rare booking for time-wasting after holding onto the ball for a few seconds too long. That's some very proactive and positive refereeing from Harrington.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:28Onana earns himself a booking for a poor tackle from behind on Henderson. The Belgian was looking to recover the rebound from his shot, but just slid in late.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:28Buendia fires wide! Villa are pushing hard for a leveller here. Rogers and Onana combine nicely, with the latter feeding Buendia through the middle. The Argentine drives forward before lacing a low shot wide and into the advertising boards. That was never troubling Kelleher, but it's yet another positive sign for Emery.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:20BUENDIA ATTEMPTS A BICYCLE KICK!! Wow, who saw that coming? Villa are knocking on the door now with some more lovely passing. McGinn floats up a cross to Rogers, who nods it back for Buendia in the centre of the box. The forward takes a looping touch before attempting a bicycle kick, but his effort zips well over the bar. I don't know what Emery said to these players during the break, but this looks like a completely different Villa side!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:18Blocked!! Villa are passing the ball around with some venom now, which will certainly be an encouraging sign for Emery. McGinn slides a nice pass across the face of goal for Rogers, who delays the shot a second too long and eventually sees his effort blocked well by Kayode.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:17Aston Villa mustered just three shots in their goalless draw with Newcastle United last time out - their fewest in a Premier League match since May 2024 (two vs Brighton). Across the opening matchday, Villa ranked 20th for shots and expected goals (0.20) of all Premier League sides. Their first half performance today wasn't much of an improvement, managing eight shots with just one of them on target, at an xG of 0.31. Can the Villans find that extra gear after the break?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:13And Brentford get us back under way for the second half!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:11The Opta live win predictor gives Brentford a 56.7% chance of holding onto their lead, while a draw is placed at 27.2%. A Villa comeback seems unlikely at just 16.1%, but Emery will know his side are far better than their first-half performances suggest. The Spaniard will be expecting more from Tielemans and Rogers as they look to provide Watkins with better service in the second half, while Andrews will likely want his side to continue asking questions of Villa’s defence as they look to extend their advantage.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
16:05Whew, what a first half that was! Brentford go into the break with a slender 1-0 lead over Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium, though they could well have doubled it had a controversial call not ruled out Damsgaard's 43rd-minute strike. Brentford took the lead in the 12th minute thanks to debutant Ouattara, who raced past Mings and Torres and managed to poke the ball through Martinez at the second time of asking. Villa failed to find much of a response for the majority of the first half, but two quick shots on target from Tielemans and McGinn woke the visitors up just past the half-hour mark. But Brentford persisted and thought they had doubled their advantage as Damsgaard fired home off Martinez’s rebounded parry, but the goal was ruled out due to a foul from Collins. The Bees have been the stronger of the two sides in attack with an xG of 1.12 to Villa’s 0.32, leaving Emery’s side needing a stronger response after the break.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:58HALF-TIME: BRENTFORD 1-0 ASTON VILLA
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:56Oh hang on, it looks like the goal won't stand! The referee has ruled it out on the grounds that Collins' contact with Martienz interfered with the goalkeeper's ability to see the ball. The Brentford faithful are livid, but it will remain 1-0. Villa have gotten the luckiest of breaks there!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:56Blocked!! Watkins finally receives some service from his midfield, with Tielemans threading a neat pass into him, and the striker tries to find a half-yard to get his shot off but can't quite connect cleanly. It ricochets off Collins and Villa win yet another corner. It's their seventh of the night, but it comes to nothing as Cash's delivery is easily dealt with.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:54It's almost end-to-end action here as both sides rack up plenty of corners. Cash swings a cross in towards the near post, but Torres can't quite nod it back across. The Bees win a corner of their own almost immediately, but Martinez collects Kayode's cross quite easily.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:52We'll have about seven minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:48GOOOAALLL!! Brentford have doubled their lead! Oh, this is brilliant from the Bees. Kayode shows Cash how it's done with an excellent long throw towards the centre of the box. Van Den Berg leaps to attack, but Martinez gets a hand to it. The goalkeeper can't quite keep hold of the ball, and it falls for Damsgaard, who volleys the ball powerfully into the net! 2-0 to the Bees.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:46Cash swings in another corner, but Ouattara makes a good block at the near-post. The winger tries to spark a quick counter, sending a hopeful outside-the-boot pass forward for Damsgaard to chase, but Tielemans intervenes smartly.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:46Cash launches another long throw into the box, searching for either Mings or Watkins, both of whom leap to attack the delivery. Collins manages a clearance, but the ball strikes referee Tony Harrington's hand and play will stop. Brentford are awarded possession and Villa aren't too happy about that, but Henderson launches the ball back to Martinez. Nice little act of sportsmanship from the former Liverpool skipper there.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:38It looks like it might a long night for Emery's side, with Cash now limping off the pitch. The full-back is receiving some treatment on the sidelines, and it looks like he might be able to continue following a short break.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:39Schade has gone down now and will need to receive some treatment. The forward gets his right leg wrapped up before play restarts. Brentford will be quite happy to have taken a short pause there as Villa just looked to be building some momentum. Can the visitors continue asking questions of the Bees' defence?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:39AND VILLA HAVE WOKEN UP!! That's much better from the visitors! First, Tielemans finds a pocket of space just outside the area and laces a powerful effort on target, but Collins is there to make a vital block. Moments later, McGinn is fed a neat pass across the edge of the area and the Villa captain drills a low shot through the defence, but Kelleher reacts well, making a fine stop with his left boot.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:35The Bees have not lost in any of their last nine matches when scoring first in the league, while Aston Villa have failed to win any of the last three times they've conceded first. All signs point to Andrews picking up his first points as Brentford manager, but there's plenty of time left for Villa to muster a response.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:31Brentford win a series of corners to ramp up the pressure on the visitors, though Villa just about manage to deal with the danger each time. It's not been a convincing performance from Emery's side, who have managed just one shot so far.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:26Van Den Berg goes down following a collision of heads with Mings. The defender receives some treatment from the physios, and after a brief pause, Villa get the match under way.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:25Villa have had over 70% of the ball across the opening 20 minutes, but it's the Bees who have the lead at the moment. Cash sends a long throw into the final third, looking for Watkins, who manages to win his side another throw in closer to the box, but it comes to nothing as Brentford deal with the danger.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:22Ouattara could not have asked for a better debut at the Gtech, with the forward now having netted his first Premier League goal since February. The Bees have never lost their first home match of a season in the top-flight, and Ouattara's smart finish has put them in an excellent position to keep that streak going.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:19Uh oh, things have just gone from bad to worse for Villa. Kamara is in serious discomfort now, and it looks like he won't be able to continue. Buendia takes his place, with Tielemans likely dropping into a deeper role in midfield.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:19GOOOAAAALLL!!! BRENTFORD TAKE THE LEAD!! Ouattara finds the net on his debut and the Brentford crowd are elated! Kelleher's long pass is flicked on for Ouattara, who pokes the ball beyond both Mings and Torres before trying to slide it past Martinez. The Argentine manages to keep it out at the first time of asking, but Ouattara is quick to react to the rebound, tapping into an open net. 1-0 to the Bees!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:17Aston Villa are moving the ball around Brentford's penalty area quite nicely now, with Tielemans and Onana helping the visitors retain possession. Digne floats a long cross in from the left, but there's too much power on it and it flies well over Mings' outstreched boot.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:17Rogers gets locked in a footrace with Kayode and just tries to poke the ball into the box for Watkins, but it was a hopeful pass at best and Kelleher can collect comfortably.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:11Villa have seen most of the ball across the opening six minutes or so, but the visitors have been clumsy in possession. It's Onana who loses the ball this time, but Villa can breathe a sigh of relief as Ouattara's cross is wayward.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:09Andrews makes a fair few changes ahead of his home debut as Brentford manager, with Henry dropping out in favour of Lewis-Potter at left-back, while Henderson earns his first start for the Bees, replacing Jensen at the base of the midfield. Carvalho and Milambo drop to the bench as Schade and Damsgaard return to the lineup, with new signing Ouattara rounding off the attack in his Brentford debut.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:10CLOSE!! Damsgaard gives Villa a big warning with some lovely footwork. Brentford counter immediately following Rogers' intercepted pass and Damsgaard dances past Cash's early challenge well before trying to curl a shot into the far corner. It's off target in the end, but that was excellent from the Dane.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:07Villa are quite happy to play out the back in these opening moments, with Martinez, Mings and Cash seeing plenty of early touches. Some neat passing sees Rogers run away down the middle, but his threaded pass to Digne is cut out.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
15:03After a short moment of silence for former Brentford chairman Dan Tana, who unfortunately passed away last week, Villa get the match under way.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:57The teams are making their way out onto the pitch now. Kick-off is coming up very soon, so stay tuned for all the action!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:57Unai Emery makes just two changes to the side that drew with Newcastle last time out. Emi Martinez makes his way back to the starting lineup, replacing his able deputy Bizot, while Konsa’s suspension sees Pau Torres start in defence alongside Mings. Kamara, Onana and Tielemans are tasked with shepherding the midfield, while newly-crowned PFA Young Player of the Year Morgan Rogers starts alongside McGinn and Watkins in attack.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:47ASTON VILLA SUBS: Marco Bizot. Sam Proctor, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Triston Rowe, Emiliano Buendia, Bradley Burrowes, Donyell Malen, Evann Guessand
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:47BRENTFORD SUBS: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Antoni Milambo, Frank Onyeka, Mathias Jensen, Fabio Carvalho, Myles Peart-Harris
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:41ASTON VILLA XI (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Matty Cash; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:41BRENTFORD XI (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher; Keane Lewis-Potter, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Michael Kayode; Jordan Henderson, Yehor Yarmoliuk; Kevin Schade, Mikkel Damsgaard, Dango Ouattara; Igor Thiago
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:41Aston Villa, meanwhile, played out a tepid goalless draw against Newcastle United in their opening Premier League match last weekend. They have, however, had Brentford’s number of late, going unbeaten in the last six Premier League matches between the two sides. Villa also have a winning record over the Bees in recent times, triumphing in their last two away league games against Brentford, having lost four of their previous five visits beforehand (D1). Unai Emery’s side will be hoping to build on from their efforts last season that earned them a sixth-placed finish, but will be hampered tonight by the unavailability of defender Ezri Konsa, who was shown a straight red card against Newcastle. Can the Villans keep their dominant streak going or will the Bees finally buck the trend?
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:41Brentford kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest last time out in what was a disappointing start to new boss Keith Andrews’ tenure. While they suffered their first-ever opening match loss in the top flight last weekend, the Bees can still hold onto some optimism. They have never lost their first home top-flight match in any of their nine seasons at this level of English football (W7 D2), scoring at least two goals in every such match. But Andrews’ side have a tough challenge ahead of them, as the Bees come into this afternoon’s fixture winless in their last six league games against Aston Villa (D2 L4) and without having managed a clean sheet in any of their eight Premier League meetings with the Villans.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:41Hello and welcome to our live coverage of this Premier League clash between Brentford and Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium!
Brentford vs Aston Villa
14:30Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Brentford vs Aston Villa
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
