Claret Villans
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Brentford Take On Aston Villa at Villa Park

By Josh Tonti

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jake Bidwell (C) of Brentford FC during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Brentford at The John Smith's Stadium on May 7, 2016 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Daniel L Smith/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jake Bidwell (C) of Brentford FC during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Brentford at The John Smith's Stadium on May 7, 2016 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Daniel L Smith/Getty Images) /
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Brentford Football Club travel to Villa Park on Wednesday in another weekday Championship match-up. 

After a disappointing 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Roberto Di Matteo gets another crack at recording his second win. In a game that should have seen a resounding Villa win; instead saw wasted opportunities and emergency defending.

Injuries again cover the story lines as a host of Aston Villa players are struggling for fitness. Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini as well as midfield players: Albert Adomah, Mile Jedinak, and Aaron Tshibola are all to be assessed before game day.

Let’s take a look at our predicted lineups as the Claret and Blue take on the Bees:

PROJECTED ASTON VILLA XI (4-2-3-1): Gollini; De Laet, Elphick, Chester, Cissokho; Jedinak, Westwood; Ayew, McCormack, Grealish; Kodjia

Subs: Bunn, Baker, Amavi, Bacuna, Gardner, Adomah, Gestede

Attempting to forecast the availability of injured players remains a fruitless task. As such, I took the liberty to include Jedinak and Gollini–who went off injured after a clattering in the box.

The inclusion of Mile Jedinak proves doubly important because of the ineffectiveness shown by his replacement, Gary Gardner. In two-hundred thirty four minutes of Championship football, Gardner has served up a below-average 75.4% passing accuracy. More tidiness on the ball is needed, especially if Gardner is not producing offensively (0.6 shots per game) or defensively (1.4 aerials won per game).

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Rudy Gestede keeps banging in goals, but there just quite isn’t a place for him in the starting eleven. Ross McCormack and Jack Grealish continue to impress with their incisive play. The real story, however, was the worldly play of Jonathan Kodjia on Sunday. The Ivorian looks like he could really score twenty plus goals in a variety of fashions. His aerial ability coupled with his technical quality and pace gives him an all-around label.

We forgot to mention Jordan Ayew–who might still be the most talented player in the squad.

PROJECTED BRENTFORD FC XI (4-2-3-1): Bentley; Colin; Elder, Dean, Egan; Woods Sawyers; Vibe, Hogan, Yennaris; Clarke

The Bees are managed by long-time Leyton Orient player Dean Smith. They are coming off an impressive 2-0 away win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Forward Scott Hogan recorded a brace at Brighton, but could be forced to drop deeper to counter Villa’s attack, playing away from home. Danish international Lasse Vibe did not feature in Brentford’s victory; it is uncertain if he is dealing with an injury.

Kickoff is slated for 2:45PM Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday. Aston Villa are heavy betting-line favorites.

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