Draws are harming Brentford promotion bid

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Tuesday

With the Sky Bet Championship season at the halfway stage, Aston Villa will not be too disappointed to be sixth but Brentford may be wondering what might have been.

There has been plenty for the Bees to be positive about. For instance, their only loss at Griffin Park this season was on August 12 against Nottingham Forest, which looks an ideal base upon which to build a promotion bid.

However, they have won just three home matches since and kept three clean sheets as draws - ten in all - have left them in mid-table.

They are capable of some fine results, the latest of which came on Friday when they left Norwich with a 2-1 win. An extra day of rest in a hectic festive programme may just give them a small edge when Villa head to west London.

However, they have let down punters too many times this season - the time they conceded two injury-time goals to draw at neighbours QPR springs to mind - to have much faith in them.

They will probably be weakened by the loss of striker Lasse Vibe, who limped off at Carrow Road with a hamstring injury after scoring both goals.

There have been signs of encouragement for Steve Bruce's Villa, who threw away a two-goal lead themselves when they were held by Sheffield United at home on Saturday.

They have drawn three of their last four matches but they will be pleased to see talented Jack Grealish back in action. He performed well against the Blades in just his second game of the season after a kidney problem.

Nevertheless, it looks as if the draw is a big price for a clash between two teams who may be of a similar level and have been involved in plenty of close matches this term.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 13-5 Sky Bet

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Brentford
Striker Lasse Vibe suffered a hamstring after scoring twice at Norwich on Friday and is doubtful.

Aston Villa
On-loan Josh Onomah (foot) and Henri Lansbury (hamstring) are likely to sit out again but John Terry is closing on a return from a foot problem.

Key stat
Both teams have scored in just two of Villa's last eight Championship away matches.

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