Brentford predicted lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League

There has been much cause for applause during Brentford's impressive start to life in the Premier League
There has been much cause for applause during Brentford's impressive start to life in the Premier League / Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Brentford travel to Aston Villa's fabled Villa Park on Saturday afternoon yet to taste defeat since their return to the top flight.

Thomas Frank, the former assistant to his opposing manager on the weekend, has resisted the urge to alter his Premier League starting XI so far. The Dane's reliance on his chosen lineup in the league was justified by the scare his much-changed side were dealt in the EFL Cup against fourth-tier Forest Green Rovers in midweek.

Here's the familiar figures Frank may call upon again come Saturday afternoon.


Brentford predicted lineup vs Aston Villa - Premier League

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

David Raya (GK) - Despite the arrival of Alvaro Fernandez this summer, Raya remains the club's number one Spanish goalkeeper.

Kristoffer Ajer (CB) - At a club lauded for their sales, Brentford's record signing has swiftly settled into his fresh surroundings, improving with each minute spent alongside his new teammates.

Pontus Jansson (CB) - The enigmatic 30-year-old emphatically wears his heart and the captain's armband on his sleeve at every chance Frank has to field him.

Ethan Pinnock (CB) - Appropriately dubbed 'The Mountain' by his manager, the softly spoke Pinnock is set to overcome a knock from last weekend to return against Aston Villa.


2. Midfielders & wingbacks

Sergi Canos (RWB) - The scorer of Brentford's first Premier League goal will undoubtedly face the manager at the helm in west London when Canos was signed by Brentford.

Frank Onyeka (CM) - The derivatively nicknamed 'Frank the Tank' has rapidly established his high standing among the squad; starting both league fixtures and helping swing the tide of Brentford's cup tie with his half-time arrival in midweek.

Christian Norgaard (CM) - One of just three Brentford players at Euro 2020, the Denmark international plays a far more crucial part for his club than the role of impact substitute with his country.

Vitaly Janelt (CM) - In an archetypal Brentford signing, the Bees paid a pittance for the services of the RB Leipzig academy product to whisk him out of Germany's second tier and straight into their first team.

Rico Henry (LWB) - In a club of fast-changing faces, the former England Under-20 international has survived the seasonal overhaul long enough to become the longest-serving squad member.


3. Forwards

Bryan Mbeumo (ST) - While his strike partner hogs the headlines, Mbuemo's bustling, buzzing approach to his industrious work load is as crucial, if not as eye-catching.

Ivan Toney (ST) - Yet to get off the mark, Brentford's top scorer last term has already bullied the defence of Premier League ever-presents Arsenal - although, that is a feat dwindling in uniqueness with each passing week.