Latest: Aston Villa 1 Brentford 0 – Bees behind after bright start

Brentford made a bright start but fell behind at Villa Park on 20 minutes.

Jonathan Kodjia scored the goal, cutting in from the right and shrugging off Andreas Bjelland before arrowing in a powerful shot from 15 yards.

Both sides had looked dangerous coming forward in a busy start to the game, with Kodjia denied early on by Bees keeper Dan Bentley at his near post.

Brentford were not shy either, with Maxime Colin and Josh Clarke enjoying themselves down the right, the former getting a shot away which was comfortably gathered by Pierluigi Gollini.

However, after the goal, Villa threatened again and Bentley had to save from Gestede.

Dean Smith made one change, with Bjelland replacing the injured Callum Elder at left-back.

Lasse Vibe – available again after suspension – has to make do with a place on the bench, alongside Yoann Barbet and Alan McCormack.

Aston Villa: Gollini; De Laet, Elphick, Chester, Cissokho; Ayew, Jedinak, Westwood, Gestede; McCormack, Kodjia.
Subs: Bunn, Richards, Baker, Amavi, Gardner, Bacuna, Green.

Brentford: Bentley; Colin, Dean, Egan, Bjelland; Yennaris, Woods; Clarke, Sawyers, MacLeod; Hogan.
Subs: Bonham, Barbet, McCormack, McEachran, Saunders, Kaikai, Vibe.