At Brentford, match facts and two other things

I'm not complicated and I like simple things. I like numbers and graphs. I'm also a big fan of what the numbers tell us and if I was a betting man, I'd be betting on a draw today. 

But we need three points. We can't just hope we're going to win the Champions League so we can play in it again next season. We need to enjoy the ride but the League must be the focus for us this season. And with 10 games to go, there are not many matches that we can afford to lose or not pick up three points.

That written, the FA Cup does present a wonderful opportunity. But we (or I) shouldn't get carried away .

But before we get to the match facts, I've got to mention Tuesday and what a fantastic result! But it is half time and we can't get carried away. But what a result. And you'd think we should have enough, but anything can happen in 90 minutes and we have to be prepared for anything happening next week.

And by that, I mean anything can happen. Just a few weeks ago, Mings picks up the ball in Belgium and we lose the match. This week, he heads down for the goal and miraculously gets a touch on a ball to deflect it wide. And I shouldn't have liked or said something on Twitter because, well, because.

I like Mings. I think he was instrumental in getting us promotion and that was his best season for us. I think he has a mistake in him and it worries me. Our best season, last season, he didn't play. I'm not saying we're not doing as well this season because of Mings, I don't think he has anything to do with it. I think Kamara and Torres are the reason why we're not doing as well this season.

I just don't understand the Mings affair. Yes, he wore the kit on the train to Bournemouth and his best ever season (by the numbers) was his 15 games for us in the Championship. Is it because of his Championship half season for us? Is that it? I'll get into trouble for this, but Konsa is a better defender he just doesn't play to the crowd. Is it because Mings plays to the crowd?

Right. It's written, I'm going skiing. Or I might clean some golf clubs I want to sell. Whatever happens, I'll be back later and I think I'm going to spend the day in front of the TV watching football. 

Match facts from the BBC

Head-to-head

  • Brentford are winless in their last five league games against Aston Villa, having gone unbeaten in the preceding eight.

  • Villa can complete their first league double over Brentford since 1947.

  • However, the Villans have triumphed on just one of their last six visits to the Bees in all competitions.

  • Villa have scored in all seven Premier League meetings, but have also kept only one clean sheet.

Brentford

  • Brentford triumphed in seven of their opening eight Premier League home games this season but are now winless in the last six, drawing two and losing four.

  • It is the Bees' longest run without a home league victory since a sequence of nine games in League One in 2006.

  • Their shot conversion rate of 15.2% is the best in the Premier League this season. They also have the highest xG per shot of 0.14.

  • Ten of Bryan Mbeumo's 15 Premier League goals this season have put Brentford ahead in a match.

  • Yoane Wissa has scored a career-best 13 goals in the Premier League this season.

Aston Villa

  • Aston Villa have won just once in their last nine league games on the road, having amassed 10 points from their opening four away fixtures this season.

  • They have kept just two clean sheets in their last 19 matches in all competitions.

  • Villa have failed to win any of their last four away Premier League games against sides from London, drawing one and losing three.

  • They have failed to win any of their last seven matches to be played immediately after a Champions League fixture.

  • Twenty of Villa's Premier League games this season have seen both sides score - the highest total in the top flight.

  • Marco Asensio has been directly involved in eight goals in his last nine league starts, scoring four and assisting four. However, he hasn't scored in any of his last 12 away league appearances since netting at Strasbourg for PSG in February 2024.

  • Ollie Watkins has been directly involved in nine goals in his last 13 Premier League games in London, scoring eight and assisting one.

  • Watkins' tally of 15 career Premier League goals in the capital is more than twice as many as any other Aston Villa player.