Aston Villa have been the surprise package of the season and will want to maintain their impressive form away at Brentford.<\/p>\n
Brentford have lost four of their last five Premier League matches, while Villa go into the game in third place, and just two behind top-placed Liverpool.<\/p>\n
This month alone, Villa have beaten both Aston Villa and Manchester City, and have not lost a match since a surprise 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest at the start of November.<\/p>\n
However, while Unai Emery as turned Villa Park into a fortress, they have won 15 successive league matches at home. But on the road, it has not been all smooth-sailing. Emery has won just nine matches away from Villa Park since taking charge, although the trip to Brentford could bring their 10th.<\/p>\n
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.<\/p>\n
So close! A corner comes into the box from Ramsey and Kamara attacks it from deep. His header flies towards the top corner but it whistles past the post and out for a goal-kick. Unfortunately, he also collides with Wissa when going for the ball, and he's now receiving treatment for a head injury.<\/p>\n
Diego Carlos shifts the ball out wide to Cash who plays it back inside. It eventually finds Moreno on the left and he sends a pass into the penalty area for Ramsey. The young midfielder tries to find a team-mate with a cross, but it's intercepted and Brentford are able to clear. Villa are struggling to create anything at the moment, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see a change from Emery soon.<\/p>\n
Emery's side have enjoyed 65.7 per cent of the possession since the second half got under way. Brentford appear happy for the opposition to have it while they stay organised defensively, and it's working so far. The Bees are staying patient, hoping to hit Villa on the break.<\/p>\n
Villa work the ball patiently just outside the Brentford penalty area, but Frank's side are staying resolute and they can't find a breakthrough. There's been a lack of creativity from the away team since the second half, and their opposition are sitting deeper and deeper, hoping to hold on to their slender lead.<\/p>\n
It's been a slow start to the second half for both sides, as Wissa and Torres collide just outside Villa penalty area. Both players are down at the moment and the referee has stopped play temporarily. However, they are back on their feet and able to continue.<\/p>\n
VAR are taking a look at Norgaard's challenge on McGinn for a potential red card offence. The referee originally gave a yellow, but they're having another look at it. After a short delay, the referee waves play on. It's just a booking for Norgaard.<\/p>\n
Norgaard goes into the book for a late challenge on McGinn.<\/p>\n
Diaby gets the second half under way for Aston Villa!<\/p>\n
Emery's side have created 0.83 xG (expected goals) since the game began from nine shots. However, both teams have created just one big chance each, with the home side taking their opportunity to open the scoring. Villa's efforts on goal have come from all over the pitch, but their top goalscorer Watkins is yet to have a shot. The Midlands club will have to find him in advanced positions in the second half. Frank will be hoping his side can tighten up at the back, but they also look relatively threatening on the break.<\/p>\n
Brentford go into the break with a 1-0 lead over Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium. Frank's side haven't had a host of chances since the game got under way, but they've been more clinical than their opponents so far. It took until the final few minutes of the half for the deadlock to be broken, with Lewis-Potter pouncing in the box to open the scoring from a corner. Villa have had plenty of the ball and look threatening in the final third, but Emery's men need to start creating more clear-cut chances.<\/p>\n