Brentford

Tom White
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland and Brentford meet in matchround three with both sides aiming to secure their second Premier League win of the season. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's fixture at the Stadium of Light.

New kids on the block

For the first time since May 2023, the Premier League's bottom three contains no promoted teams from last season's Championship.

All three of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley have won one of their opening two league games of the campaign – a feat that took last season's trio until November to achieve.

The signs, therefore, look positive that perhaps for the first time in three years at least one of the promoted sides can avoid relegation.

Home form key for Sunderland

This summer has seen 12 new signings arrive at the Stadium of Light for an initial expense of over £140m and head coach Régis Le Bris admitted after last week's defeat to Burnley that his side needed to "learn and grow", emphasising the fact that his new-look team "struggled to create rhythm in the final third".

If they are to succeed in their objective of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier the Black Cats will likely need to rely on their home form.

A vociferous backing of 46,000 Mackems drove Les Bris' side to a 3-0 victory against West Ham on the opening day to get them off to the perfect start.

However, last season in the Championship the North East side won just 12 of 23 matches in their own stadium, leaving them with just the sixth best home record in the division.

Brentford win - but without the ball

Brentford, meanwhile, found their own home comforts last week, beating Aston Villa 1-0 to ease the initial concerns that followed their 3-1 opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest.

In a game that boss Keith Andrews hailed as "scrappy, ugly…..and I loved it", Brentford showed their resilience was still evident after substantial summer departures.

The Bees made just 178 passes to Villa's 587 while enjoying only 24% possession, their lowest ever in a Premier League victory and the 18th lowest share of any winning side in the competition. They averaged 47% possession when winning matches in the Premier League last season.

Despite defeat at Forest, no team have won more points away from home in 2025 than Brentford's 23, with seven wins the club's joint-most ever in a top-flight calendar year away from home.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has selected his 24-man squad for the September World Cup qualifiers.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson

Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice

Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Yoane Wissa remains out of contention as Andrews focuses on the "settled group" of players who don't have any "issues ongoing". The Bees boss confirmed there has been "no movement" on a potential move away and is confident the striker will be at Brentford once the transfer window closes.

• The squad remains the same as the one that travelled to Bournemouth on Tuesday with the exception of the returning Jordan Henderson.

• That victory over the Cherries in the Carabao Cup showed Brentford with a back five defensive line and Andrews wants his side to remain "adaptable" and "flexible" to changing systems, but didn't confirm if they will be staying with that formation.

• When asked about any additional incomings or outgoings this summer, he said: "Weird and wonderful things could happen in the last few days. Possibly one or two of the younger players may go on loan if we feel it's right."

• He continued: "I'm pretty content with what we've got. If the club feel it's right to bring someone in that will add to that, then obviously we'll try to do that."

• On facing Sunderland he said: "I can't wait for it. It's a traditional ground and, with the journey they've been on as a football club, having dipped down one or two divisions at times, they have a fanbase that is clearly so passionate and engaged.

• Andrews added: "I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere and I know our players will feed off that. We saw the best of them in periods against West Ham - they can be very, very dangerous."

Follow the rest of Thursday's football news here

Image source, Getty Images

The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 15 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.

There are two all-Premier League ties, while holders Newcastle host League One Bradford City.

Ties will take place across two weeks, beginning on 15 and 22 September.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below in the order they were drawn:

• Port Vale v Arsenal

• Swansea City v Nottingham Forest

• Lincoln City v Chelsea

• Tottenham Hotspur v Doncaster Rovers

• Brentford v Aston Villa

• Huddersfield Town v Manchester City

• Liverpool v Southampton

• Newcastle United v Bradford City

• Wolves v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Millwall

• Burnley v Cardiff City

• Barnsley v Brighton

• Fulham v Cambridge United

See the full draw

Image source, Press Eye

Teenager Coran Madden has left Cliftonville to sign for Premier League side Brentford.

The 16-year-old became the youngest player in the Reds' history when he made his debut and registered an assist in a 4-0 win against Loughgall in November.

Madden went on to make eight more Irish Premiership appearances for Jim Magilton's side and scored his first goal in a BetMcLean League Cup win against Armagh City.

Speaking to the Bees' website upon signing for the west London club, Madden said he was excited to get started.

"I like the fact that I can get better every day, just that one per cent every day," he said.

"I really can't wait. Hopefully I can provide goals, assists and show what I can do."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views after Tuesday's EFL Cup second-round tie between Bournemouth and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Peter: A poor performance for a team which has set high standards. Very disjointed and unable to unlock a solid defence. Time is needed to bed in new signings and those players recovering from injury.

Chris: Shocking by Bournemouth - the worst I've seen them play since we got relegated from the Premier League last time. Frustrating as we should be pushing for a League Cup run.

Paul: As a Cherries fan, I'm dismayed by the extent of players sold this summer. It's really going to be a long, hard season and our Premier League status might be at risk.

Brentford fans

Nick: Good, strong defensive display and ruthless on the counter-attack. Excellent away performance.

Jon: That's two results in a row that have rather flattered the Bees. I'm still concerned that over the full season their luck will even out and it could be a nail-biting end to avoid relegation. But if we do, then it's still an incredible achievement!

David: The boys played a very well-structured game. The formation was a master class from Andrews. The substitutes en masse gave fresh energy too. Brentford are certainly on the road to being back to their best.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel believes Brentford's reported interest in Borussia Dortmund forward Max Beier could "finally unlock" Yoane Wissa's move to Newcastle.

The Magpies have had two bids rejected for Wissa, with the latest worth up to £40m, as they continue to deal with their own wantaway striker Alexander Isak, who is currently refusing to play as he seeks a move to Liverpool.

It was reported in Wednesday's BBC Sport gossip column that the Bees are interested in 22-year-old Germany forward Beier, and Mokbel believes that move could set off a chain reaction.

"You would imagine that from Wissa's perspective and his advisors' perspective that would finally unlock his move," he told the Football Daily podcast.

"They were of the assumption that when Brentford completed the signing of Dango Ouattara he could go, provided that Newcastle made a sufficient bid. Ouattara is in the building, yet Wissa is still hanging on for his move.

"I was chuffed for Keith Andrews to get that first league win. You feared for him because it's his first managerial job, it's the Premier League, and he had a big bump in the road against Forest in their first game of the season.

"It goes to prove that there is life after Thomas Frank, life after Bryan Mbeumo, after Mark Flekken and Christian Norgaard.

"Now they've got that three points over the line, maybe they'll look at Wissa's situation and think 'we can cope without him, let's do a deal' and bring in a player who wants to be there.

"Wissa has made it abundantly clear he wants to go to Newcastle."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking after his side's 2-0 win at Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup:

"We knew it would be a tough test for obvious reasons, it was probably as tough of a draw that we could've got away from home against a very good Premier League team.

"I wanted to utilise the squad this week because they deserve it.

"It doesn't really surprise me to be honest, it's what I fully expected; a performance to make me think about things going into the game against Sunderland. There were some outstanding performances.

"Playing three 90-minute games in the space of a week was always going to be difficult for everybody to do so early in the season, and I think you could see the commitment levels and the togetherness of the group was there in abundance.

"It's a carry on from the other day [against Aston Villa] in terms of that solidity and that selfless nature of how we played the game."

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

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Bournemouth make eight changes from their 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday as Justin Kluiver makes his first start of the season.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Araujo, Diakite, Hill, Soler, Scott, Christie, Gannon-Doak, Kluivert, Adli, and Kroupi

Subs: Adams, Brooks, Dennis, Semenyo, Senesi, Smith, Tavernier, Truffert, Evanilson

Meanwhile, Keith Andrews has also made a whole host of changes after they picked up their first win of the season against Aston Villa over the weekend.

Brentford XI: Valdimarsson, van den Berg, Pinnock, Ajer, Henry, Onyeka, Jensen, Hickey, Milambo, F. Carvalho, Schade

Subs: Kelleher, Thiago, Yarmolyuk, Ouattara, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Kayode.

There are five games involving Premier League sides in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Wolves v West Ham (19:30)

• Burnley v Derby County

• Sunderland v Huddersfield Town

• Bournemouth v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

That's better, Brentford!

The win over Aston Villa on Saturday just shows what we can do when we are fielding our strongest line-up.

I said last week that despite the woeful performance at Nottingham Forest, I wasn't panicking about our prospects for the season, and Saturday's display backed that up.

Five key changes to the side meant the team was worlds apart from the previous weekend, and despite weathering some pressure, we deserved to beat Villa.

The brilliant Mikkel Damsgaard had one of his best games in a Bees shirt.

Jordan Henderson showed on his first start what he will bring us, with a calmness in front of the defence and some pinpoint passing.

Dango Ouattara's debut could not have gone better with his early goal and lively performance, and while Kevin Schade had one of his quieter games, he still caused Villa problems.

Meanwhile, Keane Lewis-Potter resumed his left-back duties from last season and was back to his best.

Add to all that classy displays from Michael Kayode and captain Nathan Collins and you can see why I've constantly said we will be fine this campaign.

Keith Andrews also showed some brave management in the last 15 minutes to see out the game - switching from a 4-3-3 line-up to 3-5-2 and changing most of the defence in the process.

It could have backfired, but he got it right, and his decision preserved the three points and our clean sheet.

Of course, we weren't perfect.

As at Forest, we didn't create that many chances, suggesting we won't be as free-scoring as last season.

And while the team and bench were strong, we looked two or three injuries away from potential problems.

However, Saturday was a cause for celebration mixed with relief that our new era is well and truly up and running.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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