Aston Villa vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Villa Park
Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Brentford today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Shouts for a penalty to Villa as Janelt falls inside his own area and handles the ball, but he falls as a consequence of being tripped and fouled by Bailey.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
ON TARGET!! Watkins hits his shot straight down the throat of Flekken after he and Rogers exchange passes on the edge of the box.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Villa looking better now. Rogers has freedom to roam around that frontline, pulling left then moving into the ten position.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
SO CLOSE!! Digne again gets to the byline, his first cross is blocked, but it comes straight back to him and he drops a deeper cross form the left that loops over Flekken and drops under the crossbar, begging to be met by someone but it is marginally too high for McGinn. Danger averted there for Brentford.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
The visitors continue to press here. More sleepy play sees Mbeumo and Wissa combine but the final cross from the right is dinked in and is far too close to Martinez. Villa go straight down the other end and send in a cross of their own through Digne, who whips in a testing left foot centre. Thankfully for the Bees, Flekken dives out to meet it.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Villa are looking a little bit unnerved at the back. Brentford look right up for the cause so far.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
DANGER!! Brentford dangerman Schade pounced on Kamara who wanted too long in his own half. He drives towards goal and hits his shot low and hard and it heads towards the bottom left corner, but it is flicked wide for a corner. The corner is picked up comfortably by Martinez.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
Great pressing down the Brentford left as Cash is forced 20 yards back in his own half by the persistence of Schade and Damsgaard.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
An indication of how open this game promises to be. Mbeumo drifts inside from the right and hits a left footed shot into the Villa box, but it is chested out and Villa go on their own counter that is halted in the centre circle as Bailey looked to get his side away on the attack.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments