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Unai Emery was left frustrated by a controversial VAR decision after seeing Aston Villa’s Premier League title hopes take a significant hit with defeat by Brentford.
Tammy Abraham was convinced he had scored his first goal on his Villa return, believing he had cancelled out Dango Ouattara’s opener for 10-man Brentford. But the VAR deemed that Leon Bailey had not kept the ball in play by his own corner flag some 19 seconds earlier in the move and, after a four-minute delay, the goal was ruled out.
The VAR concluded that Leon Bailey had failed to keep the ball in play during the build-up to Tammy Abraham’s effort – Sky Sports
Referee Tim Robinson said the ball was ‘factually out of play’ in his on-field announcement to explain the decision
Keith Andrews’ side held out in a spirited performance which followed being reduced to 10 men when Kevin Schade received a straight red card in the 42nd minute for kicking out and catching Villa full-back Matty Cash in the nether regions.
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Villa manager Emery is not one to protest dramatically but claimed the decision was “not fair” five times during his post-match press interview as he came to terms with a defeat which leaves his side seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
“I think it is not fair,” Emery said. “The referee assistant watched it. My explanation is it was one action after. We must continue [to] play. It was so tight. We are accepting it but it’s not fair.”
There must be question marks over whether the ball was definitively out of play and also why an incident which had happened so much earlier in the move could have an impact.
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“It took four minutes and if they come up with the right decision I’m always in favour of it,” Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said. “It looked out but I have not seen conclusive proof. “It was the same phase of play as they broke.”
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In a further blow for Villa, striker Ollie Watkins was ruled out with a hamstring injury before the game and Emery did not offer any update on his likely return.
Abraham is into his second spell at Villa debut after signing from Besiktas while Douglas Luiz was also back from Juventus with the pair given rapturous receptions.
Abraham missed a good chance in the first half after being set up by Morgan Rogers only for Caoimhin Kelleher to save. Villa should then have taken the lead as Luiz picked out captain Ezri Konsa but he missed the target.
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The game came into life at the end of the first half thanks to a moment of madness from Schade who caught Cash when the pair were down on the ground, a decision that Andrews had no complaints with. But it prompted an incredible response from the ten men as Ouattara ran on to Jordan Henderson’s long ball and produced a fine finish after his initial effort hit Pau Torres.
Villa thought they had equalised when Abraham scored on the follow-up after Jadon Sancho’s effort had been saved, but that was ruled out after the lengthy check. The home side then went on to miss further chances, first as Cash’s powerful drive was kept out by Kelleher before Rogers’ effort on the rebound went just wide while Luiz was also denied by the former Liverpool goalkeeper. Rogers was not able to raise his game in the absence of Watkins and suffered more disappointment when another effort went just wide.
Brentford’s defence, marshalled well by Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins, held firm in a battling performance.
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Despite his frustration, Emery was adamant that the transfer window was now closed for Villa meaning that Harvey Elliott, who came on as a second-half substitute, and Amadou Onana will not be going anywhere.
Onana may have suggested last week that “one day I’ll make a transfer to a club that is world class” but Emery insisted the decision to leave him as an unused substitute against Brentford was purely down to fitness. “He was not feeling competitively fit after the match on Thursday,” Emery said. “He was not feeling comfortable. But to leave? No.
“We lost a very good opportunity today. I’m frustrated and disappointed.”
Brentford are now up to seventh with 36 points with relegation surely now avoided now during a season when many experts expected them to struggle in the wake of Thomas Frank’s departure.
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This performance may well have been their best yet under Andrews. “Aston Villa with 11 men are an elite team,” he said. “They can be deadly. So to say the performance was pleasing is an understatement. It is immense pride. It was a defensive masterclass in the second half.”
04:33pm
Keith Andrews speaking to Sky Sports
“This is right up there, with the circumstances going down to 10 men. The pride, performance level and the spirit of the group, it does not surprise me. The lads were magnificent.”
On the red card for Kevin Schade:
“I think we need to learn from that and not react.”
On what his half-time message was:
“I knew we would have to defend large parts of the game. I wanted to start the second half still being able to attack. The boys still had to dig in deep.”
On Igor Thiago:
“He is selfless in the way he plays. The work he does for the team and they all do. He was immense today and gave us a platform with his selfless running. I feel like it is a result we deserved and what we created in the second half, I thought a clean sheet was deserved.”
04:32pm
Sky Sports crew on Tammy Abraham’s disallowed goal
04:27pm
Meanwhile in north London
The final game of the day comes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Tottenham host Manchester City. Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, whose former club Brentford have just won at Aston Villa, is under big pressure. You can follow all the events from that game right here.
04:25pm
Post-match thoughts of Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
“It was amazing from the lads and in the second half especially, we dug in and deserved the three points.”
On the half-time message from manager Keith Andrews:
“It was a message of we won’t get many chances but dig in and we have defended well in the first half, and to try and put our bodies on the line. Some of the blocks and challenges were amazing.”
On if they needed the win:
“The last two results were not great but performance wise we were good so I think we were due three points.”
04:24pm
Big win for Brentford
04:18pm
Jamie Redknapp on Brentford
04:15pm
Brentford’s next five matches
February 7: Newcastle vs Brentford (Premier League)
February 12: Brentford vs Arsenal (Premier League)
February 16: Macclesfield vs Brentford (FA Cup)
February 21: Brentford vs Brighton (Premier League)
February 28: Burnley vs Brentford (Premier League)
04:13pm
Aston Villa’s next five games
February 7: Bournemouth vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
February 11: Aston Villa vs Brighton (Premier League)
February 14: Aston Villa vs Newcastle (FA Cup)
February 21: Aston Villa vs Leeds (Premier League)
February 27: Wolves vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
04:06pm
Today’s games
Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1 FT
Manchester United 3 Fulham 2 FT
Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 1 FT
Tottenham vs Manchester City 4.30pm
04:04pm
FT at Villa Park
One last chance for Villa as Cash clips in a cross from the right that finds Torres but his header is off target.
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That is the final chance of the game as the full-time whistle is blown. Some boos meet the final whistle as Brentford claim a 1-0 win at Villa Park, despite being down to 10 men for the whole of the second half. That defeat for Villa leaves them seven points off the top.
Brentford are up into seventh, five points off the top four. Keith Andrews is doing a great job, taking over from Thomas Frank.
04:03pm
90+9 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Into the final added minute we go at Villa Park and Brentford are closing in on a third win of the season over Aston Villa.
04:02pm
90+8 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Bailey takes it short to Elliott, who shoots powerfully from the edge of the box but his effort is blocked by Thiago.
04:01pm
90+7 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Aston Villa have a corner with just a few added minutes remaining.
04:00pm
90+6 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Rogers plays a dangerous ball to the back post, where Hickey does really well defensively with Cash right behind him. Aston Villa want a corner but a goal-kick is given.
03:58pm
90+5 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
It is all hands to the pump for Brentford, who are doing a terrific job of this rearguard action.
03:57pm
90+3 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Time is running out for Unai Emery’s side to find an equaliser.
03:56pm
FT at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest were down to 10 men for the entirety of the second half but have managed to hold on for a point against Crystal Palace. Forest are now six points clear of West Ham.
03:54pm
90 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
A huge chance for Villa to equalise as we head into 10 minutes of added time. Bailey drives into the Brentford box on the right and cuts inside onto his preferred left foot. He tries to pick out the top corner but his effort goes just over.
03:52pm
88 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Rogers, who has scored a number of fine goals already this season, drives across the face of the penalty area and tries to beat Kelleher at his near post but the Brentford keeper makes the save down to his right.
03:47pm
84 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Change for the visitors as Hickey replaces Henry.
03:46pm
82 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Brentford are aiming for a hat-trick of wins against Aston Villa this season in all competitions but still have plenty of time to hold out for, considering there will be plenty of injury time with that lengthy VAR delay to rule out Abraham’s effort.
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Rogers clips in a cross towards the back post but it is too far in front of Elliott and goes wide of the far post.
03:40pm
77 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Change for the home side as Elliott replaces Sancho.
03:39pm
75 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Luiz strikes one well from the edge of the box that looks like it might sneak into the corner but Kelleher gets across to his right to make the save.
Brentford are making a change as Lewis-Potter replaces Jensen.
03:34pm Analysis
70 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
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Real frustration at Villa Park now. Plenty of moans and groans from the home fans. Brentford are doing well to slow the game down.
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You sense it is a case of now or never if Villa are to stay in the title race.
03:33pm
69 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Brentford have a glorious chance to double their lead but the offside flag has gone up. Villa have struggled to cope with long throws into their penalty area today and have problems once more. Collins flicks it on with his head and the ball comes to Thiago, who should score but cannot find a finish. He is offside anyway though from Collins’ flick-on so it would not have counted anyway.
03:30pm
66 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Unai Emery made one change at the break, bringing on Bailey, and you would imagine he is not far off making more changes.
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Buendia lays the ball back to Cash on the edge of the box and the defender takes a touch before shooting straight at Kelleher. Should Cash have hit it first time?
03:28pm Analysis
65 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 1
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This is now a really scrappy game with referee Tony Harrington taking centre stage.
Harrington has just angered Forest’s fans and owner Evangelos Marinakis by ignoring a pull on Igor Jesus by Palace’s Chadi Riad.
Riad had already been booked and Oliver Glasner reacted quickly by taking the defender off.
03:27pm
63 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
It is attack vs defence at Villa Park. Brentford are camped deep inside their own half, trying to hold onto their lead and offering really nothing going forward. Can they really do that for another half an hour?
03:23pm
59 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
The 10 men of Brentford are under pressure here and Keith Andrews has decided it is time for a double change. Collins and Yarmoliuk are on for Henderson and Ouattara.
03:19pm
55 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Abraham has had some chances on his second Villa debut and has another one there as he attempts to flick a Maatsen cross towards goal but his effort is blocked by Van den Berg.
03:17pm
53 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Not only was Villa’s goal ruled out but they then have to defend a long throw into their box, which they do not deal with well but eventually clear their lines.
03:16pm Key moments • Analysis
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NO GOAL! Abraham’s effort ruled out
This is a lengthy check but I am not sure why it is taking so long. The ball had clearly gone out of play and this goal should be chalked off. This is why people get annoyed with VAR. This should not take that long but sure enough it does.
After a long delay, we finally have a decision. “The ball is factually out of play” is what we hear from referee Tim Robinson and correctly the goal is chalked off. This is what the Premier League have said about it:
After VAR review, the referee overturned the on-field decision of goal to Aston Villa – with the ball deemed to be out of play within the attacking possession phase (APP). Referee announcement: “After review, the ball is factually out of play, so the restart will be a throw-in to Brentford.”
The ball going out of play which denied Aston Villa an equalising goal
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I have to give my own take on whether that ball was out or not. I happen to have been on a referee’s course where one of the first things they do is put a ball clear of the line and ask the question ‘is this over or not?’. The point being that even if the ball is clear of the line on the ground, the fact remains a small percentage could be on the line. It is one of the first things a referee is taught.
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In this situation neither the referee, assistant referee or VAR team could obviously tell from that angle that the ball was over the line or not. You are only guessing based on the technology available.
03:12pm
GOAL! Abraham brings Aston Villa level
The striker scores on his second debut for the club to bring the home side onto level terms. Sancho’s shot from the edge of the box is well saved by Kelleher but Abraham is the quickest to react, getting to the loose ball first and finding the back of the net. However, VAR needs to take a look at an incident in the build-up as the ball had clearly gone out of play at the other end before Villa attacked.
03:12pm
48 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Aston Villa found themselves 2-0 down around this point in the game on Thursday against Salzburg and came back to win 3-2. As it stands, they would end the day seven points off leaders Arsenal but still plenty of time to go in this game and they have the man advantage…
03:09pm
Time for the second halves
We are going to see changes at the break in both of these games. At the City Ground, it is a double change for the hosts as Yates and Gunn are on. Keeper Gunn is on for his Forest debut so presumably Sels is injured. Forest have announced the signing of keeper Stefan Ortega today from Manchester City on loan.
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Meanwhile, at Villa Park, Bailey is brought on for Bogarde.
We are back under way in both games.
03:04pm
Today’s games
Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1 HT
Manchester United 1 Fulham 0 HT
Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 1 HT
Tottenham vs Manchester City 4.30pm
03:02pm Analysis
“Astonishing end to first half”
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Predictably a few half-time boos there after an astonishing end to the half. Villa have not been at their usual levels so far.
Brentford’s goal had a certain degree of fortune about it although Schade’s red card was unlucky even if it was probably deserved.
03:01pm Analysis
HT verdict
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Forest were in control here but the match has now been completely flipped on its head.
Neco Williams has been sent off for the home team after a stunning save to prevent Ismaila Sarr from scoring. The big problem obviously being Williams is a defender and not the goalkeeper.
Sarr has scored from the spot and Palace are now level, preparing for a second-half against ten men.
This is a big test for Sean Dyche’s team now, and their failure to add a second goal when dominating could prove costly.
02:52pm
HT whistles going
Drama at both the City Ground and Villa Park. These last 10 minutes have been crazy.
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At Villa Park, Brentford are down to 10 men after Schade’s red card but lead 1-0 thanks to Ouattara’s fine finish.
Meanwhile at the City Ground, Forest had led 1-0 but, after Williams’ brainless handball on his own line and a Sarr penalty, it is level at 1-1.
02:50pm
45+3 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 1
Aston Villa nearly equalise straight away but Ajer makes a crucial block to deny Abraham.
02:49pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Ouattara puts Brentford in front
The visitors may be down to 10 men at Villa Park but they hit the front just before half-time. The ball is played in behind to find the run of Ouattara, whose cross is initially blocked before the ball comes back to him. Ouattara then shows real composure to pick out the far corner with a sublime finish. What a crazy end to the first half in both of these games.
02:47pm Key moments • Goals • Video
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GOAL! Sarr equalises from the spot
Sarr steps up to take the penalty for Palace and makes no mistake from the spot.
02:45pm Key moments • Video
PENALTY CRYSTAL PALACE!
Williams, what have you done? Lerma heads Hughes’ corner towards goal but is denied on the line by Williams. The Palace players immediately appeal for a penalty and they are awarded one. Williams dives to make a one-handed stop with his hand so not only do Palace have a penalty but Williams is also sent off. A stonewall penalty and red card. We have now have two red cards in a matter of moments at Villa Park and the City Ground. In an era of VAR, that is brainless from Williams.
02:43pm Key moments • Video
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RED CARD BRENTFORD!
The visitors are down to 10 men not long before half-time. Schade and Cash were tangled up on the ground but Schade is punished for what is deemed a “kick out” at Cash. That looks harsh to be honest but VAR is sticking with the original decision of red card. In Schade’s defence, he was tangled up with Cash and was trying to get away from the Aston Villa defender, who made sure he made the most of that by rolling around on the ground. Lee Hendrie on Sky says “What are you meant to do? That looks a bit harsh”.
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At first glance it looked like Matty Cash had made a right meal of that. But replays show that Kevin Schade’s studs caught the Villa defender in that horrible private area so no surprise that Cash reacted like he did.
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There is surely no way that Schade meant that but it is red card offence. Neither the German nor his manager Keith Andrews can believe that decision but it is a game changer of a decision as Villa were struggling.
02:36pm
35 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
Ajer is into the book for needless, slightly reckless slide challenge on Cash. That is the first yellow card of the game.
02:35pm
33 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
That is a glorious chance for Villa to take the lead and it is a former Brentford man who should give the hosts the lead. Luiz clips in a lovely free-kick into the box from a central position and somehow Konsa is free to take a shot on the volley from the edge of the six-yard box. However the defender is unable to hit the target with that effort.
02:34pm Analysis
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32 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
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It did not look good for Tammy Abraham there. He looked in agony after a tangle with Caoimhin Kelleher and with Ollie Watkins out there must have been some hearts in mouths. But he looks fine now after treatment.
This is certainly a frustrating afternoon for Unai Emery so far. His arms seem to be moving in plenty of directions so far.
02:32pm
30 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 0
Palace have responded reasonably well to falling behind early in this game but have lacked a clinical, cutting edge in the final third. Perhaps a lack of an out-and-out striker is hurting Oliver Glasner’s side today. Maybe they will have Jorgen Strand Larsen in their ranks for their next game.
02:31pm
29 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
This is a concerning moment for Villa as Abraham is down. The striker looks to close Kelleher down and is caught accidentally by the Brentford keeper as he cleared his lines. Play is halted to allow the medical staff on but it looks more like a stinger than a full-blown injury. He is now back to his feet, which will be a relief to Unai Emery with Ollie Watkins in the stands injured today.
02:27pm
25 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
Brentford should take the lead but the offside flag has gone up. Igor Thiago plays a ball in behind that Ouattara gets on the end of but makes a mess of his effort as he drags his shot wide from the edge of the box. Ouattara is given offside but it would have been a close call had the ball gone in and gone to VAR.
02:23pm
23 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 0
Forest are looking to double their lead. Gibbs-White drives towards the Palace penalty area before feeding the ball forward into the path of Igor Jesus on the right side of the box. The Brazilian’s shot takes a deflection off Richards and nearly ends up in the far corner but goes just wide.
02:21pm Analysis
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21 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 0
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Elliot Anderson is having another excellent afternoon in Forest’s midfield.
He appears nailed on to start at the World Cup for England and has clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United after him.
Forest will be demanding £100m minimum.
02:18pm
16 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
What a chance that is for Schade. Villa do not deal well with a long throw into their own box and the ball falls to Schade, in the centre of the box no more than eight yards out, but he completely misses the shot.
02:17pm Analysis • Video • Key moments
15 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
Abraham’s eyes light up, aiming for a goal early on his second Villa debut. He is played through, with Henderson chasing him back, but Abraham is able to get his shot away. It is a toe poke from just inside the Villa box but he is denied by a good save from Kelleher.
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That looked like being the moment for Tammy Abraham and Aston Villa. A slow start for them but Morgan Rogers slipped in Abraham before he was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher. Plenty of aarghs from the Holte End who expected the net to bulge.
02:15pm
14 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 0
This is concerning for Forest as Anderson is down and has been for some time after a collision with Munoz. Anderson is lying on his front, clutching at his back. The medical staff are now on.
Off the pitch the TV cameras have picked out Palace chairman Steve Parish, who looks set for a busy next 24 hours or so. As our very own John Percy has revealed, Jorgen Strand Larsen looks set to arrive at Palace. With that deal set to go through, does that open the door for Jean-Philippe Mateta to complete his move to AC Milan?
02:11pm
9 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
Moments after the TV cameras picked out the injured John McGinn, they now pick out Ollie Watkins, who went off injured on Thursday in Villa’s Europa League win over Salzburg and has not been passed fit for this game.
02:10pm
9 mins: Nottingham Forest 1 Crystal Palace 0
Palace nearly find an equaliser and it would have been courtesy of a Forest player. Johnson sends in a corner from the left that Murillo, on his 100th appearance for Forest, nearly heads into his own net
02:08pm
6 mins: Aston Villa 0 Brentford 0
The TV cameras have panned into the stands to pick out John McGinn, who has crutches with him and is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines.
02:06pm Key moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Gibbs-White puts Forest in front
Moments ago, the hosts wanted a penalty but they have now hit the front. Palace fail to clear a long throw into their penalty area before Gibbs-White controls and then volleys into the bottom corner. A good finish from the Forest captain.
02:05pm
4 mins: Nottingham Forest 0 Crystal Palace 0
Most of the City Ground is up wanting a penalty. Igor Jesus drives into the Palace box before Richards slides in to make a challenge. Igor goes down but the appeals are waved away. VAR does take a look but Richards does get a touch on the ball so the on-field decision stands.
02:04pm
3 mins: Nottingham Forest 0 Crystal Palace 0
The visitors come close to taking the lead. First Hughes is denied inside the penalty area as his shot is blocked before Lerma hits one from the edge of the area, forcing Sels into a good save to his right.
02:01pm
Off we go!
We are under way at the City Ground and Villa Park. There is another 2pm game at Old Trafford where Manchester United host Fulham and you can follow events from that game right here.
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Chants of ‘Marinakis’ are loud here at the City Ground, as expected.
Forest’s fans will be keen to remind Crystal Palace of the Greek owner after the summer row over European competition.
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Plenty of fireworks as the two teams emerge at Villa Park. It seems somewhat over the top for a Sunday afternoon game at the start of February.
Villa fans will be expecting similar fireworks on the pitch to keep them in the title race at a venue where they have won eight times in the league this season. Unai Emery signs a few autographs while Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz are both given rapturous welcomes on their return. “Holte End The 12th Man” reads the banner and it is loud inside Villa Park. Villa are attacking towards the Holte End in the first half.
01:59pm
Reminder of the teams at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Igor Jesus, Milenkovic, Aina.
Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Lucca, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Abbott.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Mitchell, Lacroix, Sarr, Lerma, Pino, Johnson, Hughes, Richards, Riad.
Substitutes: Matthews, Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Canvot, Rodney, Marsh.
01:56pm
Nearly ready for action
We are nearing kick-off at both Villa Park and the City Ground. We will remind you of the teams from both of these games, starting at Villa Park:
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Torres, Konsa, Maatsen, Bogarde, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Abraham.
Substitutes: Bizot, Lindelof, Digne, Mings, Barkley, Hemmings, Onana, Bailey, Elliott.
Brentford: Kelleher, Henry, Ajer, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Henderson, Janelt, Schade, Thiago, Ouattara.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Yarmoliuk, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Donovan, Bentt.
01:55pm
New signing at Nottingham Forest
01:53pm Key moments
Breaking transfer news!
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Crystal Palace’s bid of £43m for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has been accepted.
Strand Larsen will now head for a medical, with Palace now likely to unlock the departure of Jean Philippe-Mateta.
AC Milan are the favourites to sign Mateta but Forest – Palace’s opponents today – are still at the table.
01:51pm Analysis
“Brentford looking for a hat-trick”
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Brentford start the day in ninth place with 33 points, which would have been enough to stay in the Premier League last season. It is fair to say their supporters have not travelled in numbers, the away section looking very sparse indeed.
The pressure appears to be off the West Londoners, not that head coach Keith Andrews would ever let his side think that. Brentford are actually looking for a hat-trick of wins against Villa this season having beaten Unai Emery’s side 1-0 in August and then claimed victory in their Carabao Cup encounter.
01:49pm
Pre-match thoughts of Brentford boss Keith Andrews
“There is good competition for places in the squad and the performance levels have still been strong. We were disappointed with the result last week, more so than the overall performance, so it was about freshening the team up a little bit today. I think the last two performances are definitely something the fans can get behind. The games were slightly different, but if you look at last weekend, it was that final piece of the jigsaw. We need a bit more intensity in the final third and to ask more questions, especially late on, which we probably did not do enough against Forest.”
On today’s challenge and Tammy Abraham starting for Villa:
“This is a very different game. We are coming up against a very good side; extremely well coached with a lot of talented players, so it is a different challenge altogether. Tammy Abraham coming in changes things. He is a very good player, someone who has been here [at Villa] before and knows the club well. He offers a different type of threat to Ollie Watkins but we are well prepared whoever is on the pitch.”
On the message to his players:
“The key message is to be the best version of ourselves. When we are, we are a pretty good force.”
01:47pm
Former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie on Tammy Abraham
01:44pm
Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports
01:40pm
Debut for Forest incoming
Lorenzo Lucca has joined Forest on loan from Napoli and could make his debut for the club off the bench this afternoon.
01:37pm Analysis
“Handshake for the ages”
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Crystal Palace’s season is in danger of disintegrating and there are enough subplots here to fill a Netflix series. Oliver Glasner has revealed he will be leaving at the end of this season and Palace arrive at the City Ground without a win in eight league games.
Marc Guehi completed his move to Manchester City last week and the future of forward Jean-Philippe Mateta remains uncertain ahead of Monday’s deadline. AC Milan and Forest are interested in signing the France international which means the City Ground boardroom will be the place to be this afternoon.
There is already some friction between the two clubs over the summer row involving European competition. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is expected to be here, as is Palace chairman Steve Parish. That could be a handshake for the ages.
01:34pm
Oliver Glasner on Jean-Philippe Mateta
01:30pm Analysis
No Watkins but Abraham starts
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The feeling around Villa Park is that it is very much a precaution that Ollie Watkins has been omitted with a hamstring injury today and is expected back in time for next week’s trip to Bournemouth. Villa played a total of seven matches in January and with a continued Europa League run along with Premier League bid, it is a case of player management for Unai Emery.
Watkins’ replacement Tammy Abraham is no stranger to Villa Park having enjoyed a loan spell from Chelsea in 2018-19. It’s hard to believe that Villa were a Championship side then but Abraham managed to score on 27 occasions, endearing himself to Villa supporters in the process.
01:27pm
Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina speaking before their game against Crystal Palace
01:23pm
Second debuts
Both Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz have called Villa Park home before and they do so again. They have both just signed for Villa and are into the starting XI this afternoon. Abraham’s arrival comes at a good time with Ollie Watkins missing today due to injury.
01:20pm
Pre-match thoughts of Sean Dyche
01:17pm
100 up for Murillo
01:12pm
Transfer news!
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Crystal Palace have submitted a bid of £43m for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Palace are reviving their pursuit of the Norway international and have tabled an offer which Wolves are currently considering.
Wolves were informed on Thursday night that Palace were abandoning their move for Strand Larsen but are now pushing ahead with the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta uncertain.
Wolves are pressing forward with a number of their own targets and have offered £6m for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong.
Angel Gomes, the England midfielder, is also close to joining Wolves on loan from Marseille.
01:07pm
Teams at Villa Park
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Torres, Konsa, Maatsen, Bogarde, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Abraham.
Substitutes: Bizot, Lindelof, Digne, Mings, Barkley, Hemmings, Onana, Bailey, Elliott.
Brentford: Kelleher, Henry, Ajer, Van den Berg, Kayode, Jensen, Henderson, Janelt, Schade, Thiago, Ouattara.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Yarmoliuk, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Donovan, Bentt.
01:03pm
Teams in full at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Igor Jesus, Milenkovic, Aina.
Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Lucca, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Abbott.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Mitchell, Lacroix, Sarr, Lerma, Pino, Johnson, Hughes, Richards, Riad.
Substitutes: Matthews, Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Canvot, Rodney, Marsh.
12:56pm
Jamie Carragher on Crystal Palace
12:53pm
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday:
Brighton 1 Everton 1
Leeds 0 Arsenal 4
Wolves 0 Bournemouth 2
Chelsea 3 West Ham 2
Liverpool 4 Newcastle 1
Today:
Aston Villa vs Brentford 2pm
Manchester United vs Fulham 2pm
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace 2pm
Tottenham vs Manchester City 4.30pm
Monday:
Sunderland vs Burnley
12:46pm
Crystal Palace team
12:46pm Key moments
Nottingham Forest team
12:46pm
Brentford team
12:45pm Key moments
Aston Villa team
12:43pm
Team news incoming
We are about to find out the starting XIs at both Villa Park and the City Ground. Will Ollie Watkins be fit to play for Aston Villa? Will Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz be in line for Villa debuts today?
12:40pm
Business at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest were looking for a goalkeeper after the injury to John Victor and they have one in the form of Stefan Ortega from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season.
12:37pm
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12:32pm Key moments
Action at both ends of the table
The Premier League weekend continues as we keep you up-to-date with events from two of the 2pm games this afternoon. Aston Villa host Brentford at Villa Park, with Unai Emery’s side looking to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal after their win at Leeds yesterday. A win for Villa today would put them above Manchester City into second, at least temporarily, and to within four points of Arsenal.
Villa were involved in a dramatic Europa League match on Thursday night; they fell 2-0 down against RB Salzburg but came back to win 3-2. They will be without a trio of midfielders in Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, whilst former Brentford striker Ollie Watkins is a doubt having gone off injured against Salzburg. Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz are set for debuts.
Aston Villa could move second, at least temporarily, with a win today – Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Brentford meanwhile have had a whole week to prepare for this match and will want to get back to winning ways, having lost back-to-back league games 2-0 against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground in what is sure to be a feisty affair, owing to Palace’s relegation from the Europa League to the Conference League last summer, which saw Forest take a place in the Europa League. There was plenty of needle in the reverse fixture back in August, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Forest, who ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at home against Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, start the day down in 17th. They would have been nervous yesterday watching West Ham, who had led 2-0 at Chelsea last night, but were relieved by the end of the night as West Ham ended up losing that match. Sean Dyche’s side have the chance to go eight points clear of West Ham and the relegation zone.
Jean-Philippe Mateta on his way out of Palace? – Julian Finney/Getty Images
Crystal Palace were last in action a week ago, falling to a 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea last Sunday. One man they will be without today is striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman has been linked with their opponents today Forest but looks to be getting closer to a move to AC Milan. Oliver Glasner said in his pre-match press conference that Mateta “doesn’t feel in the right place to play”.
Team news from Villa Park and the City Ground to follow shortly.
