Brentford vs. Aston Villa lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest with Wissa out but Martinez back

Feargal Brennan

Brentford vs. Aston Villa lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest with Wissa out but Martinez back image

Brentford host Aston Villa in Premier League action on August 23.

Both sides endured a difficult opening weekend to the 2025/26 campaign as Keith Andrews' top-flight debut as Brentford boss ended in a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Villa held on to secure a 0-0 home draw with Newcastle United after Ezri Konza's red card forced Unai Emery's team to play the final 30 minutes with 10 players.

Andrews and Emery will be looking to bounce back in this clash with the former already under pressure following the club's bold call to name him as Thomas Frank's replacement.

Both managers are also expected to be busy in the final days of the transfer window, with Emery losing midfielder Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle but with incomings expected.

MORE: Newcastle 'double down' with improved bid for Brentford star

Brentford vs. Aston Villa lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries

Andrews will make a late call on the fitness of Mikkel Damsgaard, who missed out at Forest due to personal reasons.

If the Dane is ready to return, he should start, with Andrews keen to add some creativity back into his midfield.

Yoane Wissa remains unavailable for selection as he seeks to secure a move away before the end of August, and Vitaly Janelt and Ethan Pinnock are out injured.

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson could be drafted in as he continues to build match fitness.

Brentford predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry — Jensen, Yarmolyuk — Lewis-Potter, Milambo, Carvalho — Igor Thiago

Injured: Wissa (unavailable), Janelt (ankle), Nunes (thigh), Pinnock (hamstring), Maghoma (undisclosed)
Suspended: None


Suspensions form a key part of Emery's plans for the trip to London, with Konza missing out due to a one-game ban but goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez back from a suspension of his own.

Ross Barkley and Andres Garcia are the only injury absentees for the visitors.

Villa are reportedly interested in loaning Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea now that Leon Bailey has joined Roma, but it is unlikely any such move would be finalised before Saturday.

Aston Villa predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Martinez (GK) — Cash, Torres, Mings, Digne — Onana, Kamara — McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers — Watkins

Injured: Barkley (fitness), Garcia (undisc.)
Suspended: Konza

Brentford vs. Aston Villa match details

  • Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
  • Kickoff time: 3 p.m. local / 10 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT 
  • Location: Gtech Community Stadium, London
  • Competition: Premier League
  • Referee: Tony Harrington
  • VAR: Tim Wood

Aston Villa news and related links

  • Aston Villa forward agrees surprise Serie A loan
  • Tyrone Mings' emotional post on Ramsey's Villa exit
  • Aston Villa hoping to re-sign former star player

Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.