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Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 14:00 7 December 2024
14:00 7 December 2024
Four matches make up Saturday's Premier League action after the postponement of the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool because of adverse weather conditions, and we will bring you every moment.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Newcastlepublished at 10:52 7 December 2024
10:52 7 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 15 he takes on Dougie Payne, bassist with rock band Travis.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
Brentford's home record is incredible, and still the best in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle were impressive against Liverpool in midweek but their challenge is to follow up that performance here, because they have been very up and down so far.
This is a difficult one to call, but I always expect goals from the Bees when they are at home.
In contrast, Newcastle have not been scoring consistently this season but they got three against the leaders and I think they will get a couple more here.
Payne's prediction: 2-1
It is no surprise Newcastle play well when Alexander Isak is on form, because he is such a good player. But I have really enjoyed watching Brentford this season, and they are so good at home.
Having not scored or assisted in any of his first 27 home Premier League appearances for Brentford, Mikkel Damsgaard has been involved in a goal in each of his past four at the Gtech Community Stadium (one goal, four assists).
Frank on Norgaard, 'big expectations' and Newcastle 'test'published at 16:01 5 December 2024
16:01 5 December 2024
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Frank is hopeful that Christian Norgaard will be available and he is more positive about Norgaard featuring than Kristoffer Ajer, although the defender has also been training with the first team and could be involved.
On how much of a loss Norgaard was against Aston Villa: "You always want your best players on the pitch and he is one of our best players. He has been one of the most consistent performers over the past five years. Of course we'd have loved him to be on the pitch, but I trust the players who played last night and we've won games without Christian before."
On the Villa defeat: "Looking back at the game, on the way home and this morning, [I'm] more positive. I think we played 20 good, solid minutes, then we lose the game in 40 minutes."
He added: "In many ways, top actions from them, they created three goals where, yes, there are things we can do better. We're talking the smallest of details we could have done differently. In the Premier League, most of the time you need to play 90 good minutes but we didn't."
The Bees boss said they have "big expectations and big beliefs" and that is why it "hurts" when they lose. He said: "We thought we could do something [on Wednesday], unfortunately we couldn't. We've showed many times we can play against any team in this division and go toe-to-toe. We didn't do that yesterday."
Frank praised Newcastle's recent form: "They were brilliant at home to Arsenal, they were brilliant on Wednesday at home to Liverpool, they were very good away to Chelsea - they were unlucky not to get something out of that game - at home to West Ham, they absolutely dominated them."
He added: "I think it's an Eddie Howe team that is at its best and it will be a big test for us. This will be the biggest test that we have faced at home so far this season."
Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:40 5 December 2024
11:40 5 December 2024
Image source, PA Media
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Conor: Much more like it. Quick and precise in attack, especially in the first half, and much more assured defensively despite conceding. Happy to see Mings back leading the defence. Kamara was running the show in the middle with Rogers and Watkins looking much more confident. Duran caused issues off the bench too. Hopefully we can carry this onto Saturday for another win.
John: The first decent performance in a while, which should give confidence before facing Southampton. Let's hope that this particular corner has been turned.
Henry: I thought Villa dominated the whole game. Mings was solid at the back and Duran had some amazing opportunities. We were unlucky to concede the consolation goal as it came from nowhere.
Ian: Well that was more like it. A much better performance all round. Rogers and Watkins were much sharper, it was better from Bailey and Mings was outstanding at the back. We should have scored more but the three points will hopefully give them the confidence to push on. It is important to get another win on Saturday. We still need to strengthen in the wide areas in January.
Brentford fans
George: Though we would be right to feel a tad hard done by with that harsh penalty decision and a third goal with a clear offside, it doesn't take much maths to work out that if you only have one shot on target, you will only get one goal. A much more convincing second half but one that still lacked the cutting edge we have yet to find on the road.
Paul: Thought we were poor. Second half slightly better than first, but I don't quite understand Thomas Frank and his substitutions. Lewis-Potter was the best outfield player, yet he was subbed for a defender? Very strange, and at 3-0 down he put Thiago on for the whole of the second half. We need to get some proper full-backs not makeshift ones.
'We have a fantastic platform to promote more diversity' - Varneypublished at 11:22 5 December 2024
11:22 5 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford chief executive Jon Varney spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about the Bees' new ticketing initiative, which means junior fans will not have to pay more than £10 for their tickets.
"I think the move is really a build on the £30 cap for adult away tickets at Premier League matches," he said. "There is a great deal of inconsistency around ticket pricing for juniors and we wanted to clean that up.
"We feel it is a good initiative which will help build that next generation of travelling away fans, which we know is so integral to the game.
"I think you have to look at each business in an individual way and look at the levers you can pull to drive your revenue. Obviously our stadium isn't the largest in the Premier League, so we focus very heavily on the areas we can drive revenue through.
"It is critically important to the game that we build that next generation of supporters. We really feel that Gen10 does that.
"We have also tried to look at subsidies for away fan travel because we know how expensive it is to put petrol in a car or jump on a train, so we have a partnership with a train operator where there is a 20% discount for away fan travel as well."
"It's not a situation that has been presented to us before, so we are talking about hypotheticals," said Varney.
"What I can say is that these matters are really personal to each individual and therefore it is difficult to make any sweeping statements.
"At Brentford, we want everybody to feel at home. We want to open our doors and make our fans feel really welcome, regardless of their faith or background.
"I think it's really important that we support the policies and activities that the Premier League are doing. They are focusing on people that haven't previously felt welcome at football matches, so I think we have a fantastic platform to promote more diversity at our football grounds. We will continue to support that."
Brentford 'get exposed' away from home - Richardspublished at 09:00 5 December 2024
09:00 5 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes Brentford's frailties away from home are down to the full-throttle nature of their play.
The Bees were defeated 3-1 at Aston Villa on Wednesday, their sixth Premier League loss on the road this season, but boast the best home record of any Premier League team this term.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Richards said: "Brentford's ground is always buzzing but away from home, I think it is because they play attacking football and at home they can get the crowd behind them.
"Away from home, it's not quite the same.
"I think sometimes they get exposed because of the way they press."
Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford: Bees' away woes continuepublished at 23:42 4 December 2024
23:42 4 December 2024
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have been scoring goals for fun at the Gtech Community Stadium lately, but they need to find a way of replicating those impressive home performances on their travels.
Only struggling Southampton have collected as few points away from home this season, with Thomas Frank's side having now lost 18 of their past 26 Premier League away games.
After a disastrous first half at Villa Park, Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for the visitors in the second - but there was little prospect of a repeat of last season's remarkable 3-3 draw between the sides as the hosts continued to dominate.
Brentford had goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank for keeping the score respectable after the break as Villa registered 10 shots on target, compared to Brentford's tally of one.
The Bees will be confident of returning to winning ways when they host Newcastle this weekend, but their poor away record is threatening to undermine their campaign.
'Villa were unstoppable' - Frank on Brentford losspublished at 23:15 4 December 2024
23:15 4 December 2024
Image source, PA Media
Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to Match of the Day after the 3-1 loss against Aston Villa: "It could have been 'game on' in the second half. We played a better second half than first half. The way we responded was good and we maybe could have had another goal.
"I think Villa were clearly the better side and they deserved to win. They hit a high level and we didn't hit a high level. Sometimes you need that quality action from your key players - we didn't have that today.
"Their penalty isn't a penalty, in my opinion. I think Ollie [Watkins] kicks back and hits Ethan [Pinnock], but we didn't lose because of that.
"I know how good the players are and how good we can play at times. When you know there's more in the team and we don't perform, it's always irritating and frustrating. But Villa were unstoppable.
"I'm pretty sure at the end of the season we'll have won a few games away from home, so I'm not too concerned."
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Brentfordpublished at 11:51 4 December 2024
11:51 4 December 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 14 he takes on James Ryan, bassist with rock band The Slow Readers Club.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Brentford's away form is awful but they are still fearless wherever they go and they have got plenty of goals in them - Kevin Schade was such a smooth operator to put his chances away against Leicester on Saturday.
The Bees are the last team you want to play when you are leaking goals the way Aston Villa are.
Villa's form is desperate and they are a bit like Manchester City in that they need a result to go for them to turn the tide.
There is no pressure on boss Unai Emery whatsoever but he does need a win to get his side heading in the right direction.
Maybe this is when it happens. I am going to say Ollie Watkins will come up trumps against his old team and get Villa going again.
Ryan's prediction: 2-2
I struggled with this one. Villa are not doing great but they do potentially have a great performance in them, whereas Brentford are very up and down. There are going to be a few goals here whatever happens, though.
Aston Villa v Brentford: Did you know?published at 11:15 4 December 2024
11:15 4 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have never won an away league game against Aston Villa (drawing six, losing three), with the Bees only facing Stoke (14) and Halifax Town (11) more often on the road without winning in their league history.
The Bees have won more points in Premier League home games than any other side this season (19) - however, no team have won fewer points on the road than their one (level with bottom side Southampton).
Frank on away performances, Schade's confidence and Villapublished at 15:53 3 December 2024
15:53 3 December 2024
Werrda Ali BBC Sport researcher
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Team news: "Unfortunately, Mathias Jensen got a minor hamstring injury, so he will be out Wednesday and unlikely to play on Saturday. The rest should be available."
When asked whether there was a reason for the disparity between Brentford's home and away performances: "No, not really. We don’t do too much different in what we do away and at home. It’s not like we go super offensive and then super defensive or less high pressure. We try and do more or less the same. I still think it’s early days. The run of away opponents we have had is part of the reason it could be obscured one way. The biggest thing is we’ve performed relatively well away from home, except the Fulham game. I’m happy overall and I'm hoping for three points at Villa tomorrow."
On midweek Premier League fixtures: "Of course players can play 90 minutes three times in a week, no problem. It’s the problems after that. It’s the balance of using your squad that could be using your substitutes, taking players off around 60, 70 minutes if you can do that."
On if there was a boost in Kevin Schade's confidence after his hat-trick against Leicester City: "Definitely, we all need to have a sliding door moment in life when you say, ‘I’m probably a good footballer’. Hopefully he knew that already. He was so good, three goals and an assist and his work rate. For him, a little bit of extra confidence will be amazing for him. We aren’t the only club where the team is happy to see their team-mate succeed. We have a rare culture. They really, really care about each other. Everyone was so happy for him, they know what it means."
On the new scheme introduced by Brentford, which offers reduced prices for younger fans: "I'm very happy that we’ve reduced prices for younger fans, home and away. It’s a fantastic scheme I can only praise the leadership. We want the new generation to really experience that home and away experience and create a great habit. It’s the greatest game in the world and to be a fan and follow your team home and away is a fantastic thing."
On their last meeting against Aston Villa: "It was quite a crazy game. Last time it was 3-3. Maybe the two teams fit each other. It's quite exciting and both teams want to take initiative. Hopefully, it will be an entertaining game and we get a win."
On Brentford's 20 points in 13 games: "I’m a dreamer and of course I'm aware and it's important for the fans to dream and of course we should to, but we need to focus on the next game and what is ahead of us, so many things can change."
Brentford announce £10 away tickets for junior fanspublished at 12:07 3 December 2024
12:07 3 December 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have announced that for the rest of this season, travelling junior fans will pay no more than £10 to watch the club in the Premier League.
The new Gen10 initiative means youngsters travelling to Brentford's away games and opposition fans who are travelling to the Gtech Community Stadium will not be charged over £10 to watch their side.
Speaking to the club's official website, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: "Incredible away support makes a massive difference to us. The energy and noise from our travelling fans inspires the players and creates an atmosphere that has helped us get some top, top results over the last few years.
“This is a great initiative that is about the future of football. We’re making it easier for young fans to be part of those special moments and be on the journey with us. We know that seeing us win a long way from home gives memories that last forever.
“Togetherness with our fans, both home and away, is crucial to what we’re building here and I hope this will help us see full away ends at our matches for the rest of the season.”
The policy will start in January, with Brentford's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton on the 4th, the first game of the initiative.
Frank 'has riches of talent up front'published at 16:38 2 December 2024
16:38 2 December 2024
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Was Saturday the turning point in Kevin Schade’s Brentford career? I certainly hope so.
The German attacker was signed permanently in the summer of 2023 for a then-club record fee but has yet to secure a regular starting place in the side. He has made more substitute appearances than starts for the Bees, although his progression was not helped by a seven-month injury lay-off last season.
Before the weekend, when Schade has played this term he has struggled to make an impact - with his body language suggesting he was low on confidence. I was surprised to see him come into the side on Saturday in place of Vitaly Janelt, who usually starts every match. But Thomas Frank had backed Schade in recent weeks, and must have seen something in training to decide to play him.
And what inspired management it was, as the 23-year-old looked a different player from the start against Leicester.
Even before his sparkling hat-trick, Schade had seen an on-target header tipped away by Mads Hermansen and then laid on Brentford’s equaliser for Yoane Wissa. Aside from those moments and his three goals, he also tracked back to help in defence at times too.
You could see how delighted Schade’s team-mates were for him, both in the goal celebrations and on the pitch at full-time, with plenty of hugs and congratulations heading his way.
With Schade’s performance, another accomplished cameo by Igor Thiago on his home debut as a substitute, and the goals of Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, Frank has riches of talent up front and plenty of interesting selection decisions to make.
Schade's confidence 'came flooding back'published at 13:18 2 December 2024
13:18 2 December 2024
Chris Wise Match of the Day commentator at Gtech Community Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank took a lot of delight in talking at length about Kevin Schade after his tremendous hat-trick against Leicester City.
Schade's time at Brentford has not been the most straightforward. He missed a huge chunk of last season with a horrible injury but, even aside from that, the German has never quite been able to establish himself as a regular in west London.
Frank was saying after the game how Schade's lack of goals had been getting him down at times too.
After he scored his first goal on Saturday, you could see the confidence had come flooding back with the way he took his second and third goals.
There were question marks when Ivan Toney left about whether Brentford would still be the same force going forward this season. The answer has been rather emphatic.
