Emiliano Martinez has returned as Aston Villa number one after serving his suspension while DR Congo international, Yoane Wissa remains out of the Brentford squad and yet to feature in any Premier League match this season.
Softfootball understands that Martinez will be in goal this afternoon after serving suspension for the red card he received on the final day of last season where Aston Villa lost 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. He was linked to a move to the Red Devils this summer but it never worked out.
Wissa has informed Brentford that he wants a move to Newcastle United after Eddie Howe’s side showed interest in him as a potential replacement Alexander Isak, who is also a subject of transfer speculation with Liverpool prepared to pay a record fee for his services.
Speaking to via Brentford’s official X handle, Bees manager Keith Andrews revealed the reason why he decided not to call on Yoane Wissa for today’s squad.
He revealed:
“It’s not right to involve him in the squad. The team is the focus and I felt that was the right thing to do”
However, the Brentford boss has handed Jordan Henderson his first start for the club as he makes four changes following their opening day defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The former Liverpool captain Henderson starts in midfield while Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade and new signing Dango Ouattara are also included.
Rico Henry, Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Mathias Jensen all drop to the bench.
Like mentioned above, 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.
🐝 Your Bees to take on Villa#BREAVL | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/3suwyAVAgv
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 23, 2025
For Aston Villa, Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez returns to the starting line-up.
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.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Mings, Torres, Cash, Onana, Kamara, Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn, Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Proctor, Buendia, Malen, Maatsen, Bogarde, Guessand, Rowe, Burrowes.
Your Villa side to take on Brentford today ⚫️#BREAVL pic.twitter.com/OY5woFxYLv
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 23, 2025
Brentford lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the Premier League while Aston Villa drew goalless with Newcastle United despite being reduced to 10 men. Both side will be desperate for a win today.
