Brentford might just have themselves a new star man after club-record signing Dango Ouattara ($57 million) scored the only goal in the Bees’ 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.
WATCH — Brentford v Aston Villa full match replay
New Bees boss Keith Andrews, got his very first win as a professional manager after replacing the hugely successful Thomas Frank this summer. Andrews, who previously served as the set-piece coach on Frank’s staff last season, came under heavy scrutiny this week after Brentford were beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest (down 3-0 at halftime) in his debut.
Ouattara scored his goal in the 12th minute and showed exactly what makes him so dangerous, and why Brentford paid all that money for him. Caoimhin Kelleher booted the ball up to Igor Thiago and the big Brazilian flicked it on and into space with his head. Ouattara started two yards inside his own half when the ball left Thiago’s head, four yards behind Aston Villa defender Pau Torres, and was level with Torres when they both reached the ball 14 yards later. Torres couldn’t clear it away, Ouattara raced away with it and cleaned up his own mess after Emiliano Martinez made a fine one-on-one save.
That’s a draw and a defeat to start the season for Villa, who desperately need to improve Unai Emerey’s squad in the final few days of the transfer window.
What’s next?
- Bournemouth vs Brentford — Tuesday, 2:45 pm ET (League Cup)
- Sunderland vs Brentford — Saturday, 10 am ET (Premier League)
- Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace — Sunday, 2 pm ET (Premier League)
Brentford vs Aston Villa live updates - by Andy Edwards
Brentford vs Aston Villa final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Dango Ouattara (13')
GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa: Ouattara zooms away and scores on his debut (13')
Brentford starting lineup
Kelleher - Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter - Henderson, Yarmolyuk, Damsgaard - Ouattara, Schade, Thiago
Aston Villa starting lineup
Martinez - Cash, Mings, Torres, Digne - Onana, Kamara, Tielemans - McGinn, Rogers, Watkins
How to watch Brentford vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (August 23)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
After losing manager Thomas Frank, plus key players Bryan Mbeumo, Mark Flekken and Christian Norgaard already this summer, Brentford lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend. Keith Andrews was promoted from assistant to the new boss at Brentford and he also has to deal with Yoane Wissa not being available as he looks to push through a transfer in the final days of the window. It looks set to be a long, tough season for the Bees who are a victim of their own success.
Aston Villa weren’t great in their 0-0 home draw with Newcastle last weekend, but they did have Ezri Konsa sent off and were without star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez through suspension. So it wasn’t a terrible result. Villa haven’t perhaps kicked on as much as they would have liked in the transfer market this summer but Unai Emery’s side still have high hopes for the season as they aim to win the Europa League and get back into the Champions League.
Brentford team news, focus
Wissa looks like he’s going to be the latest star to leave Brentford but the Bees have spent big to sign Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth and he will be a quality addition in attack. The core of the team which has overachieved for many years is still there, but Brentford have lost so many key players and leaders that it’s tough to put a positive spin on things at the moment. Igor Thiago did score last weekend at Forest and they have hopes for the Brazilian forward who was injured for most of last season.
OUT: Gustavo Nunes (thigh), Vitaly Janelt (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Yoane Wissa (disciplinary), Yunus Emre Konak (ankle), Paris Maghoma (other)
Aston Villa team news, focus
Martinez is back from suspension and that is a boost, while Villa will bring in Pau Torres to start at center back with Konsa out suspended. The attacking balance was off against Newcastle last weekend as Ollie Watkins looked isolated and after moving on both Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey in the transfer market over the last week, it seems like Villa are making moves and could bring in a new forward player soon.
OUT: Emiliano Martinez (suspension), Ezri Konsa (suspension), Andres Garcia (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: Ross Barkley (knock)
Brentford vs Aston Villa prediction
Both teams will go for it and that should lead to a chaotic game which Villa will edge. Brentford 2-4 Aston Villa.
