Brentford

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 19:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed Yoane Wissa will not be in the squad and added: "The focus is on the group so Yoane won't be involved. Again, that's a decision around what I feel is best for the group."

• He said "it's good timing" to have the cup game as it gives an opportunity to those who "may have been a bit frustrated not to have played" as many minutes as they will have hoped to yet.

• On the importance of the cup: "We'll be strong. We're taking a squad down there which will be as strong and competitive as possible to try to win the game."

• Dango Ouattara, who joined from Bournemouth this summer, is available for the cup tie and "overall, the squad is in a good place and looking really healthy".

• On Andoni Iraola's side: "Bournemouth are a team I have a lot of admiration for. They're full of speed, energy and they're high octane. We'll match that and hopefully cause them some problems."

• He said getting the first win of the season "breeds confidence" and he was "happy with the performance and the result" against Aston Villa.

• On Jordan Henderson: "What he's done by coming here is show a real hunger to play at the most elite level in world football. When Jordan became available, I was sure he'd be the right person to bring in for that area of the pitch."

• He said Igor Thigao "is an infectious character" and he has "no doubt he will be a fans' favourite" for years to come. Andrews added: "He's emotionally attached to this football club and he loves being here. His performance on Saturday typified what we are about. He'll be a big player for us."

Follow the rest of Monday's football news

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Ronnie: Brentford played very well. Strange to think this was the same team that looked like they had forgotten how to play at Nottingham Forest. Wasn't pretty at times but the four changes really strengthened the team and great to see Dango Ouattara get his first Brentford goal. Come on, you Bees!

Barry: Nathan Collins was Captain Marvel against Villa. I lost count of the number of headed duels he won. Without him at the back there would have been a different result.

Sarnj: Great game at the Gtech. Brentford played more as a team at home. Kayode, Damsgaard, Henderson, Collins and the rest all got stuck in. They made Villa look average.

Aston Villa fans

Martyn: It's basically the same Villa side that performed pretty well last season and yet two games in they look like a beaten team before a ball is kicked. Rogers has lost the plot and can only assume he's being affected by some of the transfer noise. As good as Emery is, it's all so predictable - he never has a plan B and we desperately need some fresh faces before the window closes. Early days but it's not looking good.

Kevin: Disappointing. The difference between the two performances this season and how we ended last season is night and day - and that difference is Rashford and Asensio.

Allan: You should not be 'disappointed' by the result. That implies that the Villa performance deserved better. It didn't. Villa got what they deserved - nothing. Emery should be disappointed with the performance. Wake up, Emery!

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Sautrday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa

• Burnley 2-0 Sunderland

• Arsenal 5-0 Leeds

Andy Stevenson
Final score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

After a summer of significant departures and a poor showing at Nottingham Forest last week, Brentford fans could have been forgiven for feeling very nervous in the seven days since.

But versus Aston Villa, Keith Andrews made four changes and the quartet who came in all made a huge difference.

New signing Dango Ouattara's goal could easily have been a Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa goal and he looked lively in a blistering start from the Bees.

Jordan Henderson put in a classic terrier-like Henderson performance for an hour and Kevin Schade played his part too.

But the player Brentford need to wrap in cotton wool and keep hold of through the transfer window is Mikkel Damsgaard.

He missed the Forest defeat welcoming his first child into the world, but he slotted back into the midfield on Saturday with ease and was full of silky touches as per usual. All of Brentford's attacking play goes through the Dane and he is the one who gets the crowd purring. A joy to watch.

If Wissa moves on and the transfer fee is used wisely on a replacement, Brentford will be safe as houses and will keep their remarkable record of never being in the bottom three of the Premier League.

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The presence of supermodel Claudia Schiffer in the stands, with her Brentford investor and filmmaker husband Matthew Vaughn, brought a touch of stardust to the west London club for this contest.

On the pitch against Villa, the Bees were more than happy to win without razzmatazz.

Much of the success former boss Thomas Frank engineered at Brentford was built on the diligence, energy and aggression of their home performances.

Based on this display, Keith Andrews looks primed to follow much of the template laid down by Frank.

They snarled at Villa – baring their teeth in every 50-50 – and chased plenty of lost causes.

Last season the Bees won nine and drew six of their 19 home matches.

Their tally of 40 goals scored at the Gtech Community Stadium was bettered only for a home-ground haul by Liverpool (42) and Manchester City (43).

Yet Brentford also conceded a hefty 35 goals at the stadium – only relegated Southampton and Ipswich leaked more on their home turf.

The manner in which they largely controlled the game to bank the points here hinted at a slight tweak from last term.

These are the gains which Andrews will have identified when he replaced Frank, who left to become Tottenham boss.

After a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest in their opener, this display will have given cause for optimism.

Keith Andrews spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brentford's victory against Aston Villa: "I'm very proud of the team. It was scrappy and ugly at times - and I loved it. We made it into a game they didn't want.

"We were very comfortable behind the ball. The desire to keep the ball out of the back of the net, it was selfless work from so many players.

"Dango's [Ouattara] goal will get the headlines but it showed the type of character he is that he is willing to do the other work. He will be a big player for club."

When asked about Yoanne Wissa's future, he added: "I spoke about Wiss before the game. I'm not really interested in speaking about him after the game. It's about the players who played today who played with so much heart."

Jordan Henderson spoke to Sky Sports after making his first start for the Bees: "I'm delighted with the result. I thought the lads gave everything. It's a great day for us and I'm delighted for Dango [Ouattara] to get a goal on his debut.

"It's nice to be back. I've missed the Premier League the last few years. It's the best league in the world. I enjoyed every minute of it out there.

"I know it's not going to be easy but there are so many good people at the club. With performances like that and the passion we have shown for each other, we can move in the right direction."

Did you know?

Brentford have won their first home of the season in eight of their 10 top-flight campaigns (D2); the Bees are the only team to play more than three top-flight seasons in English football and never lose their opening home match to season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

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

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has handed a first start to Jordan Henderson as he makes four changes following their opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Former Liverpool man Henderson starts in midfield while Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara are also included.

Rico Henry, Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Mathias Jensen all drop to the bench.

Striker Yoane Wissa is absent as speculation continues over his future.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Van Den Berg, Henderson, Schade, Thiago, Yarmoliuk, Ouattara, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Kayode

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry Jensen, Carvalho, Onyeka, Milambo, Ajer, Peart-Harris

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returns to the starting line-up against the Bees.

The Argentina international missed their Premier League opener against Newcastle but starts in place of Marco Bizot, who kept a clean sheet against the Magpies on his debut.

Villa boss Unai Emery makes one other change with the suspended Ezri Konsa replaced in defence by Pau Torres.

Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Mings, Torres, Cash, Onana, Kamara, Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn, Watkins

Subs: Bizot, Proctor, Buendia, Malen, Maatsen, Bogarde, Guessand, Rowe, Burrowes

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Manchester City v Tottenham (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Wolves

• Brentford v Aston Villa - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Burnley v Sunderland - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Arsenal v Leeds (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Brentford under Keith Andrews were really disappointing in their opener, conceding after just a couple of minutes against Nottingham Forest. It doesn't bode well - in fact, I'm worried about Brentford.

They have lost all the goals of Bryan Mbeumo, while they have had this summer's problems with Yoane Wissa.

They still have battle-hardened players with Premier League experience, but they need that first win under their belt to get that real belief in their new head coach.

I thought Aston Villa were really stale against Newcastle. They were lucky to get a point, but I'm going to pick them to bounce back. I think Ollie Watkins will score against his old club.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Rice
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford host Aston Villa this weekend with both sides seeking a first win of the new campaign.

If you wanted to see goals last season, Brentford's Gtech Stadium was the place to be - 75 Premier League goals were scored there (3.9 per game), the most of any venue.

Brentford scored 40 of them, thanks largely to the outstanding form of top scorer Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who is Brentford's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 45 goals. With Mbeumo now at Manchester United and Wissa keen to move on, Bees fans may not be quite as spoilt this campaign.

Rookie Brentford boss Keith Andrews described his young side's display during last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest as "naive", with Forest opening the scoring from a corner five minutes into the new season. The Bees conceded just three times from corners in the entirety of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign when Andrews was set-piece coach.

A consolation goal from Igor Thiago did at least keep Brentford out of the bottom three on goal difference, preserving their proud record of never having been in the Premier League relegation zone.

It was a deflating opening weekend – after a difficult summer – for Aston Villa, too. Unable to refresh the squad because of football's financial rules, they lacked any attacking spark during the goalless draw with Newcastle.

The absence of wingers and decision to push forward 2024-25 player of the season Youri Tielemans into a number 10 role meant Villa lacked guile, with their forward-thinking players starved of service. They failed to even attempt a shot in the first half, while their meagre expected goals tally of 0.20 was the lowest of any Premier League side.

However, manager Unai Emery has repeatedly found ways to get the best out of his Villa side and boasts the fourth-best record in the Premier League since his arrival in October 2022.

One of his immediate challenges will be to address his side's away form. Nine of Villa's 10 league defeats last season came on the road – a statistic that left them in the bottom half of that particular table.

They won away to Brentford though, with a goal from former Bees striker Ollie Watkins, and have scored in all eight meetings between the clubs.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed Yoane Wissa "has been training with the team this week" but a decision on his matchday squad will be made tomorrow.

• On the Wissa situation: "He's a Brentford payer right now. My stance all along has been that I don't want him to leave. That hasn't changed. I don't want to lose a player of that quality. If he is here in the next 12 days then that is, as head coach, what I would like."

• He said Wissa playing "is not as simplistic" as some make out as "you have to be understanding of the bigger picture".

• Defender Ethan Pinnock and midfielders Yunus Emre Konak and Paris Maghoma have trained this week after recovering from their respective injuries so could be available.

• Mikkel Damsgaard, who missed the opening game due to becoming a father, is expected to return.

• For those sidelined on a longer-term basis, Vitaly Janelt is closer to a return after re-joining the first-team squad for training this week and Gustavo Nunes is back on the grass but not yet back in group training.

• On the possibility of more transfer business: "We are always looking and assessing the current squad that we have. One or two might still leave. It's about getting the balance of the squad right. We have a lot of quality in the squad."

• He said the season starting when the window is open "creates uncertainty" for a lot of clubs, so he deals with things "day-by-day" as "it is far from ideal what we are having to deal with".

• New signing Dango Ouattara could make his debut, with Andrews adding: "He was a really shrewd bit of business by the club. I like the assets that he has. He has got serious pace and an ability that has not been showcased enough. He's very ambitious and he feels this is the right platform for him to flourish. I would agree with that."

• He said he and his players "are itching" to kick-off their home campaign and he is "really excited" to mark his first home game in charge of the club.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Wayne Rooney says Yoane Wissa and Alexander Isak are "like kids" in terms of their behaviour during the transfer window.

Both Wissa and Isak want to depart their respective clubs and have taken the uncommon approach of striking until a deal has been done.

Brentford's Wissa has removed all links to the club on his social media, blacked out his Instagram account and written 'ghost' in his bio.

"I just think it's really disrespectful," said Rooney on his Wayne Rooney Show, from BBC Sounds.

"Brentford have been there and given him a platform to go and perform in the Premier League and do well, and he has done well.

"He's a really good player. But to distance yourself from the football club, from your team-mates, from the fans?

"And to just unfollow the club and take all his pictures down of a club who've helped you progress as a player. If he wants to leave then I don't think anyone has a problem with that if it's done the right way.

"But I think these players are like kids now, or they're very badly advised in what they're doing because I know agents have influence.

"A lot of people have their father or the brother as an agent now and sometimes the right thing, or the right decision, is not always the one from the players' point of view.

"So it's very disappointing to see his behaviour over the last few days."

Listen to the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds

Yoane Wissa's so-far unfulfilled desire to join Newcastle United is complicating matters for Brentford, although they have brought in Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth as they also look to compensate for the loss of Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United.

If Wissa gets his wish, which is not yet guaranteed, the Bees will surely need to move on a replacement for such a key player.

Aaron Hickey's brief return at Nottingham Forest after almost two years out with injury was great news, but Brentford may still look to strengthen at full-back.

Jordan Henderson adds experience in midfield, while Antoni Milambo gives energy, but with the influential Christian Norgaard now at Arsenal, Brentford may feel the need to add more creativity before the window shuts.

What we do know is that Brentford will do their business shrewdly.

Read what Phil thinks every club in the Premier League needs

Tottenham are stepping up their efforts to sign Brentford and Ireland defender Nathan Collins, 24, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool. (Caught Offside), external

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

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Newcastle are unwilling to pay more than £40m for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa but the Bees have put a £60m price tag on the 28-year-old. (Northern Echo, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford are set for another high profile departure with academy director Stephen Torpey lined up as Manchester United's new head of academy.

Current academy chief Nick Cox is leaving United after agreeing to become Everton's technical director.

Torpey is well known to United technical director Jason Wilcox as the pair worked together at Manchester City.

Wilcox is understood to have driven the recruitment process.

Cox is currently continuing in his role at Old Trafford and it is not known precisely when Torpey will be able to take the job.

It will be another exit in a summer of departures at Brentford.

United signed striker Bryan Mbeumo from the Bees for £65m last month, manager Thomas Frank left for Tottenham and skipper Christian Norgaard moved to Arsenal in a £15m deal. Forward Yoane Wissa is also in dispute with the club as he looks to complete a move to Newcastle.