Aston Villa return to Championship action this Saturday following the international break when they host Brentford.
Bobby Reid of Bristol City is tackled by Glenn Whelan of Aston Villa.
Championship football returns this weekend after the international break, with Aston Villa hosting Brentford on Saturday (September 9).
It has been a disappointing start to the league season so far in 2017/18 for the Villans, but here are three reasons why they will win against the Bees.
Steve Bruce, manager of Aston Villa.
Home advantage
Villa have played three of their five league matches so far this term away from Villa Park, losing to Cardiff City and Reading and drawing at Bristol City.
However, on home turf they have secured their one and only win in the second tier, against Norwich City, and drawn to Hull City. They have also beaten Wigan Athletic 4-1 in the Carabao Cup.
Playing in front of their own fans seems to help.
Billy Sharp of Sheffield United scores against Brentford.
Brentford can’t buy a win
The only thing keeping Dean Smith’s men off the bottom of the table is Bolton Wanderers’ inferior goal difference, with the Greater London club winless so far from five Championship outings.
Not only that but their only two away games so far this campaign have ended in defeat – to Sheffield United and Ipswich Town – with them only picking up points at home to date.
Return of Jonathan Kodjia… maybe
The club’s topscorer of 2016/17 has been greatly missed, with Scott Hogan having failed to fill the void upfront and with the Ivorian leading the line Bruce’s men are an entirely different prospect going forward.
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