Aston Villa’s victory over Sevilla offered encouragement, but Brentford have already provided a sharper illustration of the challenge awaiting Unai Emery when Premier League football returns.
Keith Andrews’ side beat Chelsea 3-0 before the international break. Their breakthrough came from a corner, before two further goals punished the visitors as they chased the game.
For Villa, the lesson concerns how they attack as much as how they defend.
Emery’s side need enough ambition to impose themselves at Villa Park, while keeping the protection behind their attacks that can prevent a misplaced pass becoming a clear chance.
Our assessment is that defending the second ball at set-pieces and maintaining that balance in possession should sit at the centre of Villa’s preparations.
Brentford’s corner threat goes beyond the first header
Brentford’s official report of the Chelsea victory details the routine that opened the scoring.
Mikkel Damsgaard delivered towards the back post, Jannik Schuster headed across goal and Jaidon Anthony finished from close range.
Villa should prepare for both contacts. Challenging the first header matters, but so does tracking the player waiting for the ball to return across the six-yard area.
Our recommendation would be to give defenders explicit responsibility for that second phase rather than allowing everyone to follow the delivery.
The goalkeeper also needs a clear view and room to act. Crowding the goalmouth with defenders provides little security if nobody can move towards the next ball.
That is a preparation issue for the whole team, not simply a question of selecting the tallest available centre-backs.
Villa must retain an escape route when defending
There is also a balance to strike at the other end of a defensive set-piece.
Leaving an outlet available can give Villa a route away from pressure after a clearance. Without one, the first successful defensive action may only bring another delivery into the box.
We would want Emery’s side to know where that outlet will be before the ball arrives.
The player receiving a clearance needs support close enough to contest possession, while teammates moving out of the penalty area must do so together.
These are proposed priorities for Brentford, rather than claims about a routine Villa have already rehearsed. Their value lies in giving each defensive action a purpose beyond surviving the initial delivery.
Chelsea’s response offers another warning
Chelsea’s own match report describes opportunities before the interval and a spell of pressure after falling behind.
Brentford nevertheless extended their advantage. Kevin Schade’s saved effort produced the rebound for Igor Thiago, before Fábio Carvalho finished from a later Schade delivery.
Villa should take encouragement from the opportunities Chelsea created, while recognising the risk of committing increasing numbers forward without controlling the space behind them.
Being at home will bring an expectation to attack. It should not mean treating every possession as an invitation for both full-backs and several midfielders to advance simultaneously.
Our preference would be for one midfielder to remain available behind the ball and for the far-side defender to assess the danger before joining an attack.
That still leaves room to create chances. It gives Villa a better starting position if an attack breaks down.
Pau Torres’ return gives Emery a decision
Villa’s defensive options received a lift when Pau Torres and Brian Madjo returned against Sevilla.
Both came on at half-time, moving their recoveries beyond participation in training.
Torres’ involvement creates a selection question, but it does not settle it. Returning for part of a friendly and being ready to start a Premier League match involve different demands.
We would assess his readiness alongside the balance of the defensive unit, rather than view his name on the teamsheet as a solution by itself.
If he starts, the players ahead of him still need to provide passing options and protect the space when possession changes. If he does not, Villa still need a convincing route out from the back.
The decision should follow the work completed during the week and Emery’s assessment of the opposition.
Goretzka cannot be the assumption behind the midfield plan
Leon Goretzka’s return to group training in Spain was another positive development.
However, he did not feature in the Sevilla matchday squad. His next step remains unconfirmed.
Villa’s preparation therefore needs a midfield plan that works with the players available, rather than depending on a possible return.
For this fixture, our priority would be clear responsibilities between the player supporting attacks and the player protecting against a turnover.
That relationship also matters when Villa press. One midfielder stepping forward should prompt a coordinated response behind him, rather than leave a gap for an opponent to receive and turn.
An additional selection option would help Emery. The organisation must be in place regardless.
Sevilla should inform selection without deciding everything
Friday’s 3-1 win over Sevilla gave Ross Barkley, Alejandro Garnacho and Max Jenner goals, alongside minutes for players seeking opportunities.
Those contributions deserve consideration. Brentford will ask different questions.
Our view is that attacking selection should account for what happens when Villa lose possession as well as which players look most likely to score.
A wide forward’s recovery position can affect how confidently the full-back advances. A striker’s ability to offer an outlet can help the midfield move up together.
Emery should select a combination that supports those relationships. The strongest individual claims do not always produce the most balanced team when placed together.
Our verdict: attack with cover and stay patient
Villa should approach Brentford with confidence, but with a clear plan for the periods when the game becomes difficult.
Defend the second contact at corners. Keep an outlet available after clearances. Maintain support behind attacks and avoid letting the score dictate increasingly hurried decisions.
Brentford’s Chelsea win supplies useful evidence, rather than a prediction of what will happen at Villa Park.
The task for Emery is to turn that evidence into preparation that allows Villa’s own attacking players to make the difference.
The teams meet on Saturday 10 October. Our Aston Villa vs Brentford match guide contains the kick-off and broadcast details.
