:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53006965/BrentfordMatchday.0.jpg)
The bad news is that Aston Villa have to play Brentford in the middle of transfer deadline day drama. The good news is that Aston Villa have the chance to leave January behind on a good note. This month has already seen Villa get three losses and a draw, so I think we’re all okay forgetting it. Nevertheless, despite the poor form, Villa are still just nine points back of the promotion playoff spots. That’s sort of absurd, and it gives a little hope that maybe this all can still be done.
But if it is to be done, it’d be nice for the team to get their first win since Boxing Day tonight. Brentford will be playing without their star striker because he was signed by Aston Villa just a few hours ago. That’s either a nice coincidence or Tony Xia’s greatest tactical move yet. Playing away is always tough, but it’s nice to get a boost to make life a bit easier.
Okay, here’s how to follow along. The match is televised! UTV!
Location: Griffin Park, London, England
Kick-off time: 7:45 PM GMT, 2:45 PM Eastern, 11:45 AM Pacific
Available TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK), Sky Sports Mix (UK), beIN SPORTS USA (US, obviously)
Available streaming: beIN SPORTS CONNECT, fuboTV (allows you to stream beIN in the US and Canada. You can sign up here), Sky GO (UK)
Available radio: BBC WM 95.6 Live (not online), AVTV (If audio doesn’t work, try using Safari)
Other listings are available from livesoccertv.com.
Aston Villa squad
Team news: @ConorHourihane, @BBJarnason8, @J_Kodjia all start tonight in #BREAVL! @JamesBree_97 on the bench.
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2017
What's your verdict? ️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/hh6ExscD0Y
Brentford squad
There's a debut for Florian Jozefzoon and a start for @KingJota as Dean makes three changes for tonight's visit from @AVFCOfficial #BEESAVFC pic.twitter.com/2ztcZL7b26
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 31, 2017