Aston Villa vs Brentford Prediction and Betting Tips: Back the hosts to win and both teams to score

Despite some recent wobbles, Aston Villa remain very much in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League and they will be hopeful of recording a positive result when Brentford visit Villa Park on Saturday.

A run of one win in four top-flight matches has threatened to derail Villa's pursuit of Champions League football, with Wednesday's 4-1 loss at Manchester City leaving them still fourth in the standings but only two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have also played a game less than Unai Emery's side.

Emery will be determined to see his team return to winning ways this weekend and he may get his wish, as opponents Brentford have found results hard to come by of late.

Villa were unstoppable on home soil over the first half of the season, winning their opening eight league games at Villa Park, and after a mid-season wobble they appear to have rediscovered their groove in front of their own supporters, highlighted by recent wins over Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Beating struggling Brentford certainly seems likely for Villa, given the Bees have taken just three points from the last 30 available on their travels, but they may give up chances to Thomas Frank's side after keeping just one clean-sheet across their last eight league fixtures.

Brentford were held to a goalless draw by Brighton during the week, but they had scored in 13 of their previous 14 league games before that and should notch again at Villa Park, even if the match ultimately ends in defeat.

With doubts surrounding the fitness of top scorer Watkins, Villa may have to source goals from elsewhere, and two players that could step up are midfielder Douglas Luiz and winger Leon Bailey.

Luiz has 14 goal involvements to his name in the Premier League this season while Bailey has 16, and both have scored against Brentford in the past.

It is not just Villa players that can contribute to the excitement, though, with fit-again Mbeumo hoping to deliver from the off for Brentford.

The Cameroon international has 10 goal involvements this season, more than any other Brentford player despite the fact he has missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury. If he starts on Saturday, Mbeumo can pose a serious threat.