Aston Villa

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Aston Villa twice faced Brentford in the opening month of the season, losing 1-0 in the league and on penalties in the Carabao Cup as part of a six-match winless start to the season in all competitions. While Brentford have continued to surpass expectations under rookie head coach Keith Andrews, Villa's transformation has been remarkable and relentless.

Returning heroes and Villans

Aston Villa are the Premier League's form side over the past 18 fixtures, earning 43 points – three more than league leaders Arsenal, with Manchester City a point further back and no other team in sight.

Nonetheless, Villa are now accruing key injuries almost as quickly as points. In the space of four games, first-choice midfield trio Boubacar Kamara, 2024–25 player of the season Youri Tielemans and captain John McGinn all sustained long-term injuries.

Amid such rotten luck and severe financial constraints, manager Unai Emery has opted for a crowd-pleasing approach – Sunday's game will be a homecoming for re-signed fan favourites Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz, as well as winger Leon Bailey, recalled from loan at Roma and whose last league start at Villa Park came a year ago.

The latter two signings fill the vast void left by Tielemans and McGinn, while Abraham provides the traditional centre-forward option more suited to Villa's system than the departed Donyell Malen.

All three new recruits have had their own injury issues in recent years and Emery is gambling on their fitness and form. As a loanee, Abraham scored 26 goals – all from 15 yards out or less – to help Villa earn promotion in 2019, while Luiz and Bailey were standout performers for much of the 2023-24 season as the Birmingham side finished fourth.

Will Brentford defensive strategy require a rethink?

Brentford have the joint-fifth highest points tally in the league over the past 18 games, amassing 29 points during that time, but they come into this fixture off the back of successive 2-0 defeats. The Bees haven't lost three league matches in a row without scoring since March 2012 as a League One side.

They've never won a league game at Villa Park in 10 previous attempts and only bottom side Wolves have fared worse than their eight top-flight away defeats this season.

Head coach Andrews said of the early-season wins over Aston Villa: "I feel it was such a long time ago for both teams. We've evolved but there's obvious things we can take from the two games that we've looked at this week."

One of those could well be adapting their usual tactics to lessen Villa's chances of adding to their league-high tally of 13 goals from outside the penalty area. Brentford are typically happy to defend in numbers inside their own 18-yard area and invite the opposition to try their luck from range – 37% of the shots they have faced have been from outside the box, the highest percentage in the division.

It has been an effective strategy so far, with no side conceding fewer goals from distance.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ollie Watkins remains a doubt for Aston Villa's clash with Brentford on Sunday.

The England striker has had a scan on the hamstring injury which forced him off in the first half of Villa's 3-2 comeback win over Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League.

"Watkins, we will see tomorrow [Saturday]. Today he had a scan, and it's not a clear injury," boss Unai Emery said.

"He was tired yesterday and the scan is not giving us bad information.

"We will see tomorrow if he's not feeling comfortable or if he's feeling comfortable to decide to be with us on Sunday."

Watkins' injury adds to Villa's growing problems with Boubacar Kamara out for the season with a knee injury and John McGinn (knee) and Youri Tielemans (ankle) sidelined for months.

Tammy Abraham is in line to start on Sunday after joining from Besiktas earlier in the week for £18.25m.

He was in the stands as Villa recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Austrian champions Salzburg on Thursday.

Emery is battling an injury crisis but believes Villa must be able to cope.

"It's part of our job and I always accept the injured players because it's football," he said.

"This is the reason why we are normally 22, 23, 24 players in the squad with the young players.

"During the season, you must be ready when someone is getting injured – hopefully not for a long time because a long injury is the worst thing for the players.

"We must compete, we must be ready, and we must get our performance like we need in each moment with the players we have."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Morgan Rogers is ready to shoulder the extra responsibility amid Aston Villa's injury crisis.

The England international has welcomed the pressure after Ollie Watkins became the latest injury worry for Villa.

Rogers replaced him after Watkins came off against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday and started Villa's comeback as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the Europa League.

Boss Unai Emery is hopeful Watkins' hamstring problem is not serious after Boubcar Kamara was ruled out for the season with John McGinn and Youri Tielemans also sidelined for months - leaving Rogers in the spotlight.

He told BBC Sport: "People are probably looking at me a bit more and I have to deliver, I have to show.

"Growing up, getting older and playing the kind of games I am playing, I need to take that step up myself and be a leader in the group.

"I know I am still young and learning off the more experienced players but I can still be a leader on the pitch and show the way, show the young players and other players that I am here to fight, to give my all to win these games when these players are out.

"There is a bit of responsibility but it is what I enjoy, why I play football.

"Growing up I always wanted to be the best, I always wanted to shine and show the way. It is no different, it is just about winning the games, however that may be."

Tyrone Mings - with his first goal since 2023 - and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's first senior goal completed Villa's comeback as they finished second in the Europa League league phase.

Rogers, Villa's nine-goal top scorer, was proud of their resilience after falling 2-0 behind with a depleted squad.

"Everyone has the same problem and we all have to be ready to just focus on the games and our bodies as best we can," said the 23-year-old. "We are in no different position to anyone else. We have players in there who are ready.

"That is all that matters. There is a next man-up mentality and we have just got to try and get in there and win the games."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa are considering the immediate future of Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba after his European goalscoring heroics.

The 19-year-old scored his first senior goal to cap Villa's comeback from 2-0 down as they beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.

West Bromwich Albion are keen to take the attacker to The Hawthorns on loan but other clubs have now registered their interest.

Striker Ollie Watkins is being assessed and has had a scan on the hamstring injury which forced him off in the first half against Salzburg.

Boss Unai Emery is confident the initial scan has not given Villa "bad information" but Watkins' situation - and his European impact - could have a bearing on whether Jimoh-Aloba is allowed on loan before Monday's deadline.

Jimoh-Aloba came through the Baggies' academy and joined Villa from Albion in 2023 with new West Brom boss Eric Ramsay looking for reinforcements as they sit three points above the Championship relegation zone.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa, once again, ground it out.

Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's late winner capped a comeback which never looked likely after Villa fell 2-0 behind to Red Bull Salzburg early in the first half.

The 19-year-old's first senior goal is a welcome distraction from a performance which lacked drive and intensity and owed much to a collapse from the visitors.

Maybe Villa could have been forgiven, they had already qualified for the Europa League last 16 and, given injuries, Unai Emery handed George Hemmings a full debut and brought on Jimoh-Aloba and Kadan Young.

The Austrians folded after being in charge for an hour but victory came at a price for Villa.

Emery only did what he could realistically do in playing Ollie Watkins - given his lack of striking options - and, such is Villa's luck this month, he came off with a hamstring injury.

The extent is not known but new signing Tammy Abraham - who watched from the stands on Thursday - could be given a start when Brentford visit Villa Park on Sunday.

Victory proved Villa's staying power but also underlined their squad's growing fragility.

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The reality is that a much-changed Aston Villa side did what was expected of them.

They beat a Salzburg team, who prior to their trip to the West Midlands, had lost five of their seven Europa League matches, and because of the Austrian winter break, had played just one competitive fixture since mid-December.

However, the dramatic finish to the night's 3-2 victory will live long in the memory of the club's academy.

Moments after receiving a touchline rollicking from Unai Emery for not carrying out his instructions, Kadan Young drove towards the Holte End, before squaring a cross which was swept home by teenager Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba.

If there was any way to erase the memories of the sloppy display which saw Aston Villa trailing 2-0 at one stage, it was the sight of two youngsters, born in the second city, combining for a memorable winner.

Prior to the 87th minute, arguably the biggest headline from a youth perspective was a first senior start for George Hemmings. Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he like the majority of his outfield team-mates were found to be off the pace in the first half.

Whilst many will jump to the conclusion he was hooked at the break following a poor display, Emery confirmed afterwards the plan was always for him to play just 45 minutes.

With no more new arrivals expected before the close of the transfer window, a growing injury crisis and Aston Villa still competing across three competitions, I expect it won't be the last time we see the talented trio called upon this season.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Aston Villa's comeback win to beat RB Salzburg 3-2 in the Europa League.

Mossy: It was a gutsy comeback, but against a team in a season break, the fact that we found ourselves two down and looking pretty clueless was the concerning factor. Yes, we didn't needed to win it, and they did. It was always going to be a strange one, but I am really concerned that we have lost our engine room, all of it! Kamara, McGinn, and Tielemans. Could be a season-ender for us, we will see how we cope once the Premier League games come on Sunday.

Richard: Really good to see academy players like Hemmings, Jimoh-Aloba and Young given a chance to shine. I hope Watkins will be back in time for the knockout stage. If we can stop making silly mistakes in our own third of the pitch, especially ones that result in goals, winning games would be easier. Thankfully our next four games are all winnable, even with a depleted squad.

• Listen to Emery react to the comeback

Ian: Villa were very poor in the first half and looked like a team devoid of energy, highlighting the need for a bigger and better squad in modern football. The youngsters were excellent when they came on. Morgan Rogers too showed his class to rescue the day. A good win in the end to ensure second place.

Peter: When they try to play football in their own penalty area, as they did in the first half, they are dreadful. When they play in the opposition half, as they had to after the break, they look like a good football team.

Mike: Winning this game may not have been a top priority, but the way we turned it around in the second half was astonishing. To score three goals without an established striker showed real spirit and the introduction of Jimoh-Aloba was a joy to watch.

Phil: The difference maker was actually Matty Cash - a very underestimated player, who is having a great season. Once he started getting high up on the right-hand-side, we looked a different team. Bogarde, for all his defensive talents, cannot do this.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa match-winner Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was described as "shy and nervous" by team-mate Morgan Rogers - but the teenager has announced himself on the European stage.

The 19-year-old's late goal sealed Villa's 3-2 comeback victory against Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday to help them finish second in the Europa League league phase.

At the final whistle Amadou Onana pushed Jimoh-Aloba towards the Holte End for a series of fist bumps, each greeted by cheers from the home support.

Jimoh-Aloba, who made his Premier League debut last month, came off the bench in the 66th minute and netted a fine winner with just three minutes remaining - after Rogers and Tyrone Mings had got Villa back into the game.

The teenager joined Villa from West Brom in 2023 when he was 16 and was already an England Under-16 and Under-17 international.

He made his senior debut as a substitute in the Carabao Cup win at Wycombe in September 2024 and a year ago was included in Villa's Premier League squad against Leicester.

The attacking midfielder signed a long-term deal at Villa in October 2024 and helped them lift the FA Youth Cup last season, scoring in the final against Manchester City.

A league debut came just last month in the 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, while he also featured in the Carabao Cup defeat by Brentford in September.

Read more about the teenage match-winner here

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is on Real Madrid's shortlist to become their new manager this summer. (Sky Germany), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm very happy and of course today was a match played with some potential players we have who are young in the academy, developing with them.

"And today they had an opportunity to play, George [Hemmings], then Jamal [Jimoh-Aloba] and Kadan [Young]. Of course, Jamal scored a goal, which was really fantastic.

"We were expecting a difficult match because they needed to win. They are brave playing forward. They were trying to get into individual duels with us.

"In Europe, with the experiences we have, we know how difficult each match is. Today, playing 90 minutes, creating this energy with our supporters is something we can feel, and as a competition where we can be protagonists and get something."

On the academy players: "It is necessary to give them chances, and those three players play, George and then Jamal and Kadan, I think it's a good opportunity for them. They got experiences and played how we needed in the plan we have with them.

"To get a victory, to play with some players like them and create in this competition something with our supporters' feelings for it... I think it is very important."

Aston Villa matchwinner Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's a proud moment for me on my European debut. It's just really nice to make my family proud and stuff because of all the hard work. I've had a lot of lows this season and a lot of highs, but this is top."

On whether his family was in the crowd: "My mum was in the stands somewhere, so it should be good."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa were sloppy and sluggish for an hour on Thursday and Salzburg were in total control at 2-0 up.

Yet once Morgan Rogers scored there seemed little doubt the hosts would at least get a draw - and, once again under Unai Emery, Villa found a way to win and maintain their unbeaten home European record this season.

Victory came at a price, however, after Ollie Watkins had to leave the field because of injury in the first half.

The England striker clutched his hamstring and walked straight down the tunnel after coming off - and Emery and his already stretched squad could do without another injury.

Tammy Abraham has arrived from Besiktas and could now go straight into the starting XI against Brentford on Sunday depending on Watkins' prognosis.

Having lost three other key players to injury this month - Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans - Villa cannot afford Watkins to be out for long.

They will need Abraham to hit the ground running, with forward Evann Guessand on his way to Crystal Palace on loan.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Villa's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Harvey Elliott comes in from the cold for Aston Villa to face Red Bull Salzburg.

The Liverpool loanee has not played for Villa since 2 October, a brief substitute appearance against Feyenoord, and Villa boss Unai Emery does not want to make his loan permanent.

But with injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, Elliott has been recalled. Young midfielder George Hemmings makes his full debut for the club.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Lindelof, Mings, Digne, Hemmings, Onana, Elliott, Buendia, Sancho, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Rogers, Jimoh-Aloba, Young.

Austrian Bundesliga leaders Red Bull Salzburg make just one change from their 3-1 Europa League over Basel.

Striker Karim Konate replaces Yorbe Vertessen with the visitors needing to win - and for other results to go for them - to snatch a play-off spot.

RB Salzburg XI: Schlanger, Kratzig, Schuster, Gadou, Trummer, Diabate, Bidstrup, Kitano, Alajbegovic, Konate, Baidoo.

Subs: Zawieschitzky, Hamzic, Rasmussen, Terzic, Bischoff, Onisiwo, Kjaergaard, Diambou, Lainer, Lukic, Aguilar, Yeo.

There are 18 games in the Europa League on Thursday as the league phase reaches its climax, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Red Bull Salzburg

• Basel v Viktoria Plzen

• Celtic v Utrecht

• FCSB v Fenerbahce

• Genk v Malmo

• Go Ahead Eagles v Braga

• Lille v Freiburg

• Ludogorets Razgrad v Nice

• Maccabi Tel Aviv v Bologna

• Midtjylland v Dinamo Zagreb

• Nottingham Forest v Ferencvaros

• Lyon v PAOK

• Panathinaikos v Roma

• Porto v Rangers

• Real Betis v Feyenoord

• Red Star Belgrade v Celta Vigo

• Sturm Graz v Brann

• Stuttgart v Young Boys

All kick-offs 20:00 GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings believes new signing Tammy Abraham will be a "great addition to the squad" after rejoining the club from Beskitas.

The 28-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Premier League title challengers, as he moves back to England for the first time since joining Roma in 2021.

"Another 20 goals would be nice," Mings responded when asked what Abraham will bring to the squad before their Europa League game against Salzburg.

"Tammy is a fantastic player and a fantastic person.

"It's important when players sign in January, they really need to hit the ground running. They don't necessarily have the time to bed in and get up to speed with fitness.

"Tammy is a bright guy and a great footballer. He's bright, and he knows a lot of people here.

"I've no doubt he'll be a great addition to the squad."

You can listen to more from Mings before the Salzburg game here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace are close to the loan signing of Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand.

The Eagles, who looked at signing the 24-year-old last summer, are set to take Guessand until the end of the season in a deal that will give them an option to buy.

Guessand has scored twice in 26 Villa appearances - both in the Europa League - having struggled to establish himself in his favoured central striker position.

The £18.25m arrival of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas this week also leaves him as likely third choice behind the new signing and Ollie Watkins.

And although the Ivory Coast international has been happy to fight for his place at Villa Park, he is expected to leave.

Guessand has made just six Premier League starts since joining Villa from Nice for £26m last August.

Image source, PA Media

Aston Villa and Tottenham have been fined following a melee at the conclusion of their FA Cup game on Saturday, 10 January.

Players from both sides were involved in a confrontation shortly after Villa's 2-1 win in the third round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Both clubs accepted a charge of failing to ensure "players and/or technical area staff did not behave in improper and/or provocative way after the final whistle".

The Independent Regulatory Commission fined both clubs £125,000.