Andrews to ´balance ideology with pragmatism´ after poor start for Brentford

Keith Andrews is aware of he should mood his ideology with a dose of pragmatism forward of his first residence aggressive sport in control of Brentford, as Aston Villa go to the Gtech Group Stadium on Saturday.

The Bees kicked off their 2025-26 Premier League marketing campaign with a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on the Metropolis Floor final week, in a disappointing begin to Andrews’ tenure.

It was the membership’s first-ever loss on the opening matchday of a Premier League season and got here after the gross sales of key gamers Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard and Mark Flekken.

Brentford stay unbeaten of their opening residence video games within the top-flight all through their 9 seasons at this stage, with seven wins and two attracts, they usually have scored a minimal of two objectives in every of these matches.

Having solely conceded three objectives from set-pieces final time period, Chris Wooden’s opener final weekend got here from a Forest nook. The final time Brentford conceded from corners in consecutive video games was in December 2023.

Thomas Frank’s Brentford aspect had been famend for his or her stable defensive work, and Andrews is aware of he must retain a part of that id.

Andrews mentioned: “The hot button is about balancing my ideologies with pragmatism.

“Whenever you’re fixated on taking part in a sure means as a coach and also you haven’t acquired the instruments to do this, it’s harmful and there’s just one consequence.

“You’ve additionally acquired to think about one thing I’m enormous on: confidence ranges.

“When you’re asking gamers to do issues they don’t actually consider in, they sense that it’s maybe not the proper factor to do, then they may lose the sport and never play notably properly both. I’ve all the time felt that it’s best to attempt to get the very best out of the gamers you’ve got at your disposal.”

Our first away day of the season pic.twitter.com/isbdZ9viSn

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 20, 2025

In the meantime, Villa shall be desirous to get their season up and operating with three factors, after being held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United at Villa Park of their curtain-raiser.

The Villans mustered up simply three pictures in opposition to Newcastle, marking their lowest shot rely in a Premier League sport since Might 2024, once they registered simply two pictures in opposition to Brighton.

General, throughout matchday one, Villa ranked final amongst all Premier League groups for each pictures taken and anticipated objectives (0.20 xG).

Nonetheless, the Europa League-bound aspect will fancy their possibilities in West London on Saturday, having received their final two away video games in opposition to the Bees.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Dango Ouattara

Earlier this month, Brentford smashed their switch report once they signed Ouattara from Bournemouth in a deal reportedly value £42m.

The previous Lorient winger tallied 11 purpose involvements final season (seven objectives, 4 assists), serving to the Cherries to their highest Premier League end of ninth as they spent a lot of the marketing campaign flirting with a European spot. After lacking out in opposition to Forest, Ouattara might be in line to make his Bees bow this Saturday.

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins

The England worldwide registered 24 Premier League purpose involvements (16 objectives, eight assists) final season, rating seventh for objectives within the division.

In seven Premier League appearances for Villa in opposition to Brentford, Watkins has racked up seven purpose contributions (six objectives and one help), together with his newest purpose in opposition to his former purpose coming in Villa’s 1-0 away win again in March.

MATCH PREDICTION: ASTON VILLA WIN

Brentford have didn’t win any of their final six matches (two attracts and 4 losses) in opposition to Villa, and have been unable to maintain a clear sheet in any of their eight head-to-head Premier League conferences.

Watkins has been a key risk for Villa in London, contributing to 13 objectives in his final 18 Premier League appearances there (11 objectives and two assists).

That features him scoring in every of his final two away matches in opposition to his former membership Brentford, through the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

Andrews will even be aware of Villa’s ability from set-pieces, with the membership rating second within the Premier League final season for objectives scored from dead-ball conditions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY:

Brentford: 31.1%

Draw: 25.4%

Aston Villa: 43.4%