Brentford

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Thomas Frank spoke to Sky Sports after Brentford's defeat against Aston Villa: "They went 1-0 up, getting the margin you need, via a deflection. From that moment to Ollie Watkins' [second half] chance, we were completely on top.

"We created many dangerous situations without really having the margins. I'm really pleased with my team – especially in the second half, I feel we deserved more than we got. We played with great intensity, played forward and put them under pressure."

"Of course we dream and want to end as high as possible. You could see [Villa] felt the pressure because they had to win. They have signed five great players [in the winter transfer window] – that's what we're competing against."

On Brentford's penalty appeals: "[Axel Disasi's foul on Kevin Schade] is a big, big penalty. I don't understand how VAR can't overturn it. Disasi clearly took Schade out. The second one was on a softer side, but you can't go through the back of a player. I maybe understand that one a bit more, but the first one is a penalty."

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Brentford are the only side across the top four tiers of English football without a home clean sheet this season. They've conceded in each of their last 16 league games at the Brentford Community Stadium since a goalless draw with Fulham in May last year.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Villa's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)

• Liverpool v Southampton - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Brighton v Fulham

• Brentford v Aston Villa (17:30) full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton (20:00)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

This should be a really good game - it is 11th versus 10th but both teams are looking up the table and thinking about getting into the European places.

It feels like it will be close but I am actually pretty sure Brentford will win it - Aston Villa have been stretched all season and we know they tend to be a bit flat the weekend following a Champions League match.

That's the test for Unai Emery's side here. Can they break that habit of dropping points after playing in Europe? I'm not convinced.

Villa are in a strong position against Club Brugge after their first-leg win in Belgium but, if they are at all tired from that game, then Brentford's energy means they are not a team you would want to face.

I'm going for Villa striker Ollie Watkins to score against his former club, but I am backing the Bees to take the points.

The rest of Villa's season is going to be a balancing act too - I'd back them to beat Brugge next week and make the quarter-finals, and also to overcome Preston in the last eight of the FA Cup.

But at the same time they really need a run of results in the Premier League to help them in the race for the top five. Right now they are still in touch with the teams above them but they have got to be careful not to slide out of contention there.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank has provided a "positive" injury update as the Bees prepare to face Aston Villa at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday (17:30 GMT), confirming that Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen will be back in contention.

Speaking in his pre-match news conference, Frank said: "Norgaard is back, which we expected after the concussion precaution. Jensen will be involved in the squad as well, so that's very positive."

There are also a few players nearing matchday fitness, including defenders Rico Henry and Sepp van den Berg. Henry is back in "full training" after recovering from a setback with his hamstring injury and Van den Berg is due to "train with the squad" next week.

Frank added that he is "pleased" Aaron Hickey has made his return to action with the under-21s after a 16-month injury layoff, although the full-back's return will be "step by step" and he will not be available for the Bees' next two Premier League games.

Brentford are currently 11th in the Premier League, just one place and four points behind this weekend's opponents Aston Villa, with one game in hand over their counterparts.

However, the Bees haven't come out with a win from any of their previous five encounters with Aston Villa and Frank is expecting to go head-to-head with "an extremely good team".

The Danish manager added: "I think they did fantastic business in the January transfer window, bringing in really good players. Their squad is among the best probably in the Premier League and they are most likely going into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"They are one of the eight best teams in Europe. They are probably not satisfied with being only one position above us but we believe in ourselves and, if we hit our top levels, I believe we can get three points."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Brentford announced a change to the ownership structure earlier this week, with Matthew Benham transferring his shares into a new holding company.

It was said this will "modernise" the ownership model as it will "provide greater flexibility" and "better position the club for future growth".

Benham is the crucial figurehead behind Brentford's success since achieving promotion to the Premier League in 2021.

From conversations with sources behind the scenes, the need to "modernise" refers to a holding company, which is common at the highest level of football and aligns the club with the rest of the Premier League.

The need to provide "greater flexibility" is understood to refer to estate planning - as Benham could pass shares to his family.

And Brentford have been open about the hunt for minority investment to chase "future growth". The new structure would make the addition of a new partner simpler to achieve.

Those with knowledge of the situation have explained that such is the success of Benham's ownership, that they believe any new investors would be likely to want to keep on the current owner to avoid disrupting the success of his data-guided approach.

On a football and performance level, Brentford do not especially need expertise from an investor but would be attracted to a partner capable of promoting the business and boasting media or public relations expertise.

Sources that know Benham believe the scale of the reported £400m valuation and hunt for an investor is simply the Englishman testing the market - similar to an individual putting their house up for sale at a high price just to see if there is any interest.

The intention is not to sell a majority stake, but it is impossible to rule out because an incredible offer could always arise.

Meanwhile, a deed has been given to supporter group Bees United to allow a veto on any sale of the club's stadium and a fan to be appointed to the board.

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Following their 3-1 win at Villa Park in December, Aston Villa are looking to complete their first league double over Brentford since the 1946-47 campaign.

Having won 10 points from their first 12 available away from home in the Premier League this season, Aston Villa have since won just four from a possible 27 on the road.

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We asked for your views on one thing going under the radar at Brentford currently.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Kevin Schade. He was a bit unconvincing when he first joined the club, especially in comparison to the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. This year, he's really stepped up and seems to fit like a glove into the front four, to the point where if one of our attackers was to leave this summer, I wouldn't be completely worried because we've got three other amazing forwards.

Jonna: Brentford's squad this season is really next season's team in development. The squad value of £400m shows Brentford are quietly putting together a hugely talented and relatively young team. We might sell a player or two in the summer but we now have depth and youth, gaining experience. Prepare for a "surprising" 25-26 season that those in the know can see coming.

Lucas: We are sometimes too respectful to teams because of who they are. One thing definitely flying under the radar though is how good Mikkel Damsgaard is.

AC: That we've played most of the season with about half of our starting XI, if not less. Most crucially, Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey have really been out since the 2022-23 season. And it's only this season the club has really started to build the bench and transition in earnest from the Football League to the Premier League.

After a sixth home game without a win last time out against Everton, Brentford are six points off the top six in the race for European football next season.

So what's your verdict on how things are going? Is there a reason behind the inconsistency - or is that just the Premier League?

You know the Bees best so tell us, what's the one thing - good or bad - going under the radar at Gtech Community Stadium right now.

Let us know here

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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After back-to-back away wins at West Ham and Leicester last month, there was talk of Brentford mounting a late push to get into Europe, although the home draw with Everton was a bit of a reality check.

Although I have already seen the Bees play in Europe, having twice travelled to Italy to see us in the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1992, I think a repeat next season is not going to happen - and here's why.

As I have said in previous pieces, this season Brentford have largely been very good against teams below us and pretty poor against those above us.

Of our 11 Premier League wins so far, nine have come when we faced teams in the bottom half, with the only exceptions the home defeats of Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Given that our next seven games are all against top-half teams, including trips to Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, the chances of such a dramatic switch in form at this stage of the season seem remote.

But that's fine!

I will take a nice comfortable mid-table Premier League finish any time after years of watching us in the lower divisions. While that might not sound ambitious, it is still only four years into our Premier League life.

I would have preferred safety in the league to go hand-in-hand with a nice cup run, but in the FA Cup that would have been unlikely this season, given that our conquerors Plymouth were then drawn against Liverpool and Manchester City.

The remaining games might be the perfect opportunity to give more time to one or two of our youngsters in preparation for any possible big-name departures in the summer.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Brentford and Fulham have expressed an interest in signing Mexico centre-back Johan Vasquez, 26, from Genoa. (GiveMeSport, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Aaron Hickey played the first 45 minutes for Brentford Under-21s as they won 2-0 against Birmingham City Under-21s in the Professional Development League.

The full-back made his first Brentford appearance since October 2023 and combined with Isaac Holland before curling an effort into the top corner.

The Scotland international will hope to build on his positive return as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Hickey joined Brentford from Bologna in July 2022 and signed a new contract with the Bees last month, committing his future to the club until 2028.

Before his injury, he had been a key part of Brentford's defence, making 37 appearances for Thomas Frank's side.

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Brentford have announced a change in ownership structure subject to approval from the Premier League.

In a statement on the club website, external, Brentford say owner Matthew Benham will transfer his shares to a new holding company as part of a change to the governance framework at Gtech Community Stadium.

Official supporters' trust Bees United will have its existing special share in the club replaced by a legally binding deed that ensures its ability to veto any proposed sale of the stadium and appoint a fan to the club’s board.

According to Brentford, this is part of a plan to "modernise" the ownership model as it will "provide greater flexibility" and "better position the club for future growth".

Benham "remains fully committed to ensuring Brentford FC's future", with chair Cliff Crown describing it as a transition to a "more conventional ownership structure".

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We asked for your views on Brentford's Premier League draw with Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

George: A fair result. We always suffer against teams that sit back off the ball in the first half, when our attacking play is at its strongest and it is a habit that has cost us many an early exit from cups against lower-league opposition. Everton were disciplined in their defence, and while Mark Flekken put in a great shift, we always struggle without Christian Norgaard shoring up our midfield.

Nicholas: A very flat performance from the Bees and lucky to get a point in all honesty. Amazing how the home form is now deserting us at the same time the away form is excellent. Funny old game!

James: Pretty lacklustre game all round. Flekken bailed us out of a Beto hat-trick. An even first half but Everton came out second half with more energy and desire. We never got going after that really. Thomas Frank, again, waited too long to make changes and didn't make enough; a lot of players looked tired.

Everton fans

Greg: We stuck at it and could have won it if we had someone who could finish. Anyone who thinks Beto is the answer is badly mistaken. Top marks to James Garner who was pulling the strings all game. Great to have him back. Moyes is doing a fantastic job.

Dan: On another day we win that. Three great chances for Beto and he could have slid Carlos Alcaraz in late on. But on the other hand, we could have lost that and before the Moyesiah's return, we probably would have. Good fightback and effort from the lads.

Ian: Beto, Beto, Beto - he has to put at least one of those chances away. Well done to the team to keep on fighting. A tough fixture that we should have won but came away with a good point.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford had goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank after salvaging a 1-1 draw against visitors Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The result meant Thomas Frank's side fell eight points behind fifth-placed Chelsea but it could have been worse for the Bees if not for their Dutch shot-stopper.

With the hosts failing to find a breakthrough at the other end, Everton had two gilt-edged chances to take the lead in the first half.

On both occasions, Beto went one-on-one with Flekken with the keeper emerging on top both times to keep the score level before Yoane Wissa pulled Frank's side ahead in the first-half stoppage time.

The 31-year-old keeper also showed good reflex to keep out Jack Harrison's inswinging corner at the start of the second period.

He also denied the Toffees a victory in the closing stages, once again advancing off his line to deny Beto in the 88th minute.

"We should give big credit to Mark because we still got the draw with three one-on-ones for Beto and he saved it," Wissa told TNT Sports after the game.

"We could have lost today but we didn't."

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Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think it's probably a fair result. We played a fairly good game but we lacked that cutting edge to make it 2-0. We controlled Everton really well.

"I don't think they had anything - except for the three one-on-ones. I know this might sound a bit crazy. But the first one was a Ethan [Pinnock] slip and the other one was a big mistake from us. So with that in mind, it was a fair result."

On goalkeeper Mark Flekken's performance: "He has been fantastic in many, many ways this season and that was three big saves."

On their home form: "Premier League is so even and so tight. It's very difficult."