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Daily Brentford Forecast Friday: Overcoming the Villains
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This is your Forecast Friday, where we look ahead to the visit of Aston Villa to the Gtech on Saturday. We discuss the latest team news for both sides, have a look at the previous meetings between the clubs and try to analyse how it will all pan out on this occasion.
Host: Daniel Toppin
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Transcript
Introduction and Game Preview
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to another episode of your daily Brantford podcast with myself Daniel where today we will be looking ahead to another game at the GTEC as Aston Villa visit on Saturday in the 5.30 kickoff.
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just before we get going guys, we're a brand new company so we're looking for your support this season and beyond as we look to bring you the best and most in-depth coverage across the entire network. Whether this is a 5 star review on your favourite podcasting platform or a recommendation to your friends, we are very grateful for any support that we've received.
Team News and Player Updates
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So then let's look straight into the team news ahead of this one. I expect Christian Norgard to return to the fold following the concussion that he suffered in the Leicester game, which led him to miss the Everton game.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
A week and a half has now passed, so I would expect Christian Norgard be back in and will likely slot back in for Jan Moliuk, who did a good job on the day, but I think ultimately most Brentford fans will agree that we are a very different team with him in the side, and if you are looking at Changing that midfield about is probably Vitaly Yannelt who would come out the side and not Christian Norgard. So I fully expect him to slot straight back in. And based on Yannelt's recent form, I expect him to keep his place in Jan Moliuk to step aside as we play our usual 4-3-3 with a front three, including Kevin Sharder.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He's also been on really, really good form in recent weeks. So I wouldn't necessarily look to fiddle with that too much, especially given some of the lack of um options that we have on the bench. We have no updates on Seth Vandenberg and Matthias Jensen, who both shouldn't be too far away. So maybe there's an outside chance so they make the bench for this one.
00:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whilst Aaron Hickey has now played 45 minutes for the B team the other week. I don't expect him to be involved yet in the in this one. I think when we do see him back, it'll be off the bench.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But good early positive signs. Thomas Frank said he needs a preseason. i expect him to step up those minutes now, perhaps play a longer period for the B team. um With a view to them returning back to the squad, it be a massive, massive boost um following the amount of timeout. But as we've learned um most recently of Rico Henry, we've got to manage it well.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Obviously, Rico Henry had a setback and has not been seen
Defensive Concerns and Strategies
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
since. So hopefully he is also progressing. The other issue I want to talk about, and it became prominent in the last episode in the game against Everton, do we stick with Ethan Pinnock if Vandenberg is not fit?
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
He looks slow. He looks a bit lethargic. It worries me a little bit. um Jamie Vardy also had the run on him um on on the Friday night against Leicester. So could Ollie Watkins have some kind of similar joy against Ethan Pinnock if we are to go with him?
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can see the likes of Marcus Rashford. wanting to run it Ethan Pinnock as well, which isn't not in my head. It's not a good idea. um So I would maybe consider bringing in Coyote at right back, who I want to see anyway.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i think going forward, his long throws, he gives us weapons that perhaps other other players aren't able to offer. He's had a long time with the team now, training with the team. Hopefully he's learned some more defensively and positionally and how we like to play. So hopefully he's able to slot in and that would free up Christopher Ayer, who is originally a centre-back, to play alongside Nathan Collins. And I think that would give me more confidence that they've got the legs. I think Nathan Collins, whoever's alongside him, expect him to guide them through the game.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think I would feel a little bit more comfortable with Ayer alongside Nathan Collins and perhaps Pinnock. If required to play a role off the bench.
Game-Changers and Key Threats
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Otherwise, i don't think we'll see any other changes. Like I said, there's been limited options.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ewan Morgan has been on the bench um in the last couple games, Brentford following a good goal scoring form for the B team. But I just can't see a scenario where he fits in even off the bench, I think.
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a big, big step up between the B team and the first team. Maybe for him, we're looking at some kind of loan. I would like to see, though, more minutes for Fabio Carvalho. It's something we've been speaking about. I think if this is a game that's tight, which I think it will be, if we need a goal in the second half, if we need someone to change a game, we've got to give him um we've got to put our faith in him and we've got to give him the opportunity to do that for us rather than just sit there and keep doing the same things for 90 minutes.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got to try something different. I think Fabio Carvalho could be the key to that. and I'd like to see him come on in a game where there is a lot of stakes to see if he can have an impact like he did against Leicester, but in a scenario where we're not three or four on the level ready, a scenario where he can potentially come on and win the game for us. so That's what I would like to see from a Brentford point of view.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of Aston Villa, they've certainly added depth to their squad, particularly going forward in January with the rivals of Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyal Mallon.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first two in particular have combined especially well together. How many times over the last few weeks have we seen a Rashford assist for an Asensio goal. This will also be the first GTEC return for Ollie Watkins following his unwise, let's say, celebration last season where he pointed out allegedly a fan in the crowd who is abusing him all game.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not one to normally go against former players. I think Ollie Watkins has done a lot for the club. I think he was roundly liked by Brentford fans, especially before that celebration last season. and I expect he will get a more hostile um reception on this occasion.
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, personally, I wouldn't boo him, but I think that that there are going to be many more fans this time who who will do so. And you can kind of understand why. I think it's very disappointing.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that Ollie Watkins wasn't able to rise above whatever this one fan was saying to him last season, um particularly knowing the fact that, you know, he had the respect of the vast majority of the Brentford fans at the GTEC that day until the moment he'd done that. And it threw the game.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
The rest of that game last year ultimately into chaos and Brentford went on to lose. The likes of Morgan Rodgers is also one to watch for Aston Villa. Probably been arguably their best player this season. Really grown a lot since he signed from Championship Middlesbrough last season.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was one to watch in the home game, yeah in in the away game, so that the game at Villa Park. And I think he could be a big player here. if indeed he does start following their Champions League exploits in midweek.
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, of course, you've got Emi Martinez and his antics in goal. The famous, and I think it may have been in the same game um as the Watkins celebration last season.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
His little duel with i'm Neil Marpe, who's moved on from us now. um But let's just Emi Martinez is... not a stranger to the dark arts and doing whatever it'll take to win. And of course, he's been rated the best goalkeeper in the world. I think now for the second season running another former B, which I thought I'd mention is Esri Concer at the back for Aston Villa, often forgotten compared to Olly Watkins, but he's been solid at the back for them.
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
After the break then, we will go into our previous record against Villa, how the season's looking for both sides, and we'll make predictions on how we think it will unfold on this occasion.
Technology and Production Notes
00:08:18
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00:08:36
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00:08:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to part two of your forecast Friday on your daily Brentford podcast. As we look ahead to the visit of Aston Villa to the GTEC on Saturday, looking bad at previous meetings, we actually had a very good record against Aston Villa in the championship, but we're now into a position where we've got no wins in the last six Premier League games.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
dating back to a 2-1 victory in January 2022 with Wisser and Mads Rosev, a late goal for Mads Rosev and a rare goal on the score sheet that afternoon.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford this season found themselves 3-0 down inside 34 minutes at Villa Park earlier this season before a dams guard consolation in the second half. So, There's plenty to make amends for in this fixture. They're outside that in the last two or three years we struggled a little bit against. um Of course, they've achieved great things under Unai Emery especially. So, you know, we're looking to raise our game on this occasion to get to their level.
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of the season as a whole, Aston Villa are our nearest rivals currently in the Premier League. Four points ahead of us.
Impact of Aston Villa's Recent Success
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the Bees have a game in hand from when Aston Villa... Played against Liverpool. So I believe when Liverpool have their cup final.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Which I think might be next week. um Villa will have the weekend off. And Brentford will have the chance to. Cut down that um deficit. Perhaps even go above them. Depending on the result on this one.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
if we are able to get past Bournemouth at the vitality. They have been somewhat inconsistent Aston Villa this season and whilst managing Champions League football. I think we see that a lot with sides who aren't used to being in European football, certainly not at the highest level in the Champions League.
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's been highlighted by the fact that they've not won any of their last seven games in the Premier League which have come directly after a Champions League night. And that's relevant because this one does too. And it comes after Aston Villa's biggest Champions League night so far, the round of 16.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
first knockout round in the competition. Villa travelling to Bruges on Tuesday and coming home with a three one victory. Whilst it's not the hardest game they could have possibly had in the in the knockout stages of the Champions League, it's a massive game for a club who've not been involved um at that stage of European football for such a long time. And of course, although they look like they're massive favourites now to go through with a second leg at Villa Park, the the job, according to them, is still not done and that they still need to see that through um in midweek. So perhaps that is something Brentford can use to our advantage and hopefully take the game to them at the weekend where when perhaps they are focusing or their or their main focus right now is on progressing as far as possible in the Champions League.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does though the extra January debt for the likes of Rashford Asensio mitigate this? Perhaps... i think the likes of Asensio and Jacob Ramsey as well will only a substitute in midweek.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashid came off the bench early. Is there a chance then that these players might be freshener than they would have been earlier in the season after
Upcoming Fixtures and Predictions
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
some of their European games before they got that January business in?
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps I think Unai Emery, that's why he did that business. I think they needed more depth. I think they want to be able to challenge for European football um in the league this season as well as going as far as they can in the Champions League. So I definitely think at their best, they're certainly a team to worry about.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Brentford have to take advantage. Brentford have to take advantage of their situation. We've not played for a week and a half. Aston Villa had an FA Cup tie at the weekend and a Champions League game in midweek. they've certainly not had um as long as the time to focus on this game specifically.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
This also for Brentford begins a run of fixes against fellow European challengers. Bournemouth coming up next, Newcastle after that, and Chelsea, who have dropped off a little bit in recent weeks, follows in early April.
00:12:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if Brentford are to finally not be 11th, and I feel like we've been 11th now for a couple of months at least, if we're to push ahead, close that four-point gap and get into that cluster of teams above us,
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we may need a win here. I think we need to show that we can beat the tides in and around us to put ourselves in that corner ah in that conversation. And as I said, I think it could be the perfect time um to play Aston Villa because we're going to have to play them at some time. And I think after a Champions League game when they've got the second leg next week as well, I think that's an ideal time to go.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think we have to be strong defensively here. um Can't afford any mistakes. Can't afford to give away one-on-ones like we did against... Everton, I think we got away with one a little bit and that evening. We can't always rely on Mark Flecken to um come up with big saves in those moments. Of course, it'd be nice, but we we can't bank that and the likes of Ollie Watkins are going to make the same mistakes that Beto did. So we've got to be strong defensively. We've also got to have more ideas in attack. I feel like sometimes in these types of games, we resort to putting lots of crosses in and this applies to Everton in that second half as well. You know, they had a defense, which are,
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
perfectly adept to dealing with those situations and we need to find other ways to attack at times and I think with the likes of Dam's guard in there with that front three I don't think that's beyond our reach I think we can do that but we need the likes of Brian and Bumo here who didn't really fire against Everton. We need him to have a good game. We need him to cut inside. We need him to have shots on goal, meaningful shots on goal that really test Martinez in goal. um And we need to just be a bit creative and we need to find different ways to hurt the opposition. And that's where the likes of Fabio Cavalio could perhaps come on in the second half and make a difference.
00:14:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Overall, though, I'm expecting a really tight game here. I think if Aston Villa are to turn up at their best, I think it will be an extremely difficult game. I think they are very, very good team on paper. um They're capable of getting results against the very best sides. But I'm looking, hopefully, here for Villa to be slightly below par, slightly sluggish after stroke after the travelling they've had to do.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Maybe one-eye on midweek as well for the Champions League and obviously the rounds beyond that. So I'm going to go 2-1 Brentford. going to go Mbumo and Wissler on the score sheet. They love to get on the score sheet together.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think it will be a tight game. I think perhaps we might even go 2-0 up and then make it a little bit nervy for ourselves at the end. Allow Villa to score like we're starting to sit back. They're starting to get on top. I think and I very much hope we will see it over the line in the end.
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that will do for today's podcast. I very much hope we're talking about Brentford win on Monday. But thank you for listening. We hope you've enjoyed today's episode. And once again, we'll be extremely grateful for your support as this will enable us to go bigger and better moving forwards.
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Daily Brentford can be found X, Instagram and TikTok under the handle at GSPN Brentford. And this podcast is now also available on YouTube on the Global Sports Podcast Network account. We'll be back again on Monday where we'll be reviewing the action from the weekend. Until then, from myself, thank you for being with me.