Manager Thomas Frank believes Brentford can avoid extending their wait for a Premier League away win to seven months when they visit out-of-form Aston Villa on Wednesday (8.15pm GMT).
The Bees started the season with five successive top-flight away defeats but earned their first point on the road in their last away game, holding Everton to a 0-0 draw despite midfielder Christian Norgaard’s 41st-minute dismissal.
“The run of away opponents we have had has been part of the reason why it has been skewed,” suggested Frank, whose side were 1-0 ahead at Fulham in their preceding away match before losing to two Harry Wilson goals during second-half added time.
A visit to Villa 🔜 pic.twitter.com/BQexTQ4x1u
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 3, 2024
“The biggest thing, for me, is that we have performed relatively well – if not well – away from home, except for the Fulham game. I’ve been fairly happy with the rest, overall.
“I suspect we have a good chance to get three points at Villa, even though they’re a fantastic fan group at Villa Park with a very good team and a fantastic coach.”
Brentford results
Since losing 2-0 at Liverpool on August 25, Brentford have been ahead at Manchester City, Tottenham, Manchester United and Craven Cottage – and lost on each occasion.
Their leads lasted for 18 minutes at the reigning champions, seven minutes at Spurs and two minutes at Old Trafford, while Wilson’s dramatic late double denied them after they had been in front for 67 minutes.
“Kristoffer Ajer is on the pitch. He trained with the team yesterday and today but it is too early for tomorrow. It could be too early [for Saturday], but let’s see” 🙏
The latest from Thomas Frank on Kris 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/gZPFZctGXW
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 3, 2024
A much-changed Brentford side did beat Colchester United 1-0 away in the second round of the Carabao Cup, although they were grateful to goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson for saving Jack Payne’s second-half penalty for the fourth-tier team.
Brentford did prevail in their final away game of 2023/24 on May 11, beating Bournemouth 2-1 courtesy of Yoane Wissa’s 95th-minute winner.
“Football is the best game in the world and, to be a fan and follow your team, home and away, is a fantastic thing” ❤️⚽
Our Gen 10 initiative will see travelling junior Bees fans, and U18’s visiting the Gtech, pay no more than £10 to watch us in the @premierleague 🐝 pic.twitter.com/AVf0VnhedK
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 3, 2024
Premier League table: Brentford looking up
Brentford’s home form has been contrastingly convincing, beating Leicester City 4-1 on Saturday to make it 19 points from a possible 21.
That win has left Brentford eighth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and five shy of Arsenal in second.
Villa are unbeaten in eight home league and Champions League matches but are winless in eight games in all competitions following their 3-0 league defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.