It hasn’t been the best start for Aston Villa, but they went into the international break on a high after beating Spurs 3-2. There were positive signs in the final third, although Villa still looked vulnerable defensively, which is understandable following the departures of Ezri Konsa and Emi Martinez.

Brentford have been much stronger so far, and they remain unbeaten across their opening seven competitive matches. However, they cannot afford to underestimate Unai Emery’s men, particularly at Villa Park. Brentford have been an entertaining team to watch, and BTTS has landed in five of their last six matches across all competitions. Similarly, BTTS has landed in each of the last four Aston Villa matches.

Johan Manzambi is back in the first-team picture for Aston Villa after recovering from injury. He made his first Premier League start against Spurs before the break and marked the occasion with a goal. The Swiss international registered four shots, with two hitting the target, while he also provided the assist for Nicolas Jackson.

Manzambi then remained heavily involved for Switzerland during the international break, recording ten shots across four Nations League appearances, of which six hit the target. The summer signing was brought in to replace Morgan Rogers following a stellar World Cup campaign, and he looks set for an advanced midfield role under Emery. Manzambi will be eager to announce himself in the Premier League, so he should be heavily involved in the final third.

Igor Thiago enjoyed an incredible previous campaign, scoring 22 Premier League goals for Brentford. He hasn’t been quite as prolific this term, but chances have still been flowing for the Brazilian. Thiago is averaging 2.98 shots per 90 across all competitions, which is the highest figure among regular starters in the Brentford squad.

He has accumulated 13 shots across five league appearances, with four of those hitting the target. Igor Thiago opened his account against Chelsea just before the international break, and this looks like a good matchup for him to double his tally. Aston Villa have conceded nine goals in five league matches this season, and they have been leaking chances defensively.

Manzambi was one of the most fouled players in the Bundesliga last season, with 78 infringements drawn for Freiburg at an average of 3.35 per 90. He likes having the ball at his feet, and should find duels against Kristoffer Ajer when looking to transition. 

The Norwegian centre back will also be directly up against Nicolas Jackson, which promises to be a difficult matchup in terms of pace. Jackson has quickly settled into his new role at Villa, replacing Ollie Watkins up front, and the Senegalese international scored against Club Brugge and Spurs before the international break. Ajer has committed a foul in four of his six starts this season, and Villa’s speed through the middle should force him into challenges again.

There is very little to split these sides, and it’s difficult to pick a winner pre-match. Both teams possess enough firepower to cause problems going forward, and that means we are likely to get quite an open encounter with chances available at both ends of the field. Brentford are averaging 4.40 corners per Premier League match this season, while also conceding exactly 5.0 per game.

There were 12 corners taken at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Aston Villa travelled there before the break, with 11 of those awarded to the hosts. There were another ten during their EFL Cup victory over Coventry, with Villa accounting for eight of those. This selection also landed in both head-to-head meetings last season.

John McGinn is averaging 2.99 fouls drawn per 90 across all competitions this season, and he has been fouled multiple times in seven of his eight starts. Unai Emery has had McGinn starting on the right wing this season, and he usually stays wide to try and stretch the play. 

That should put McGinn directly up against Keane Lewis-Potter, as he has been operating at left-back for Brentford. The 24-year-old prefers playing further forward, so isn’t used to having as much of a defensive responsibility. He has committed nine fouls across his five Premier League starts, averaging 1.91 fouls per 90. This matchup against McGinn out wide looks optimal to target this market again.

Brighton have started the season in excellent form, but they still have one of the worst disciplinary records in the Premier League. In fact, they have picked up 12 yellow cards in five matches - only Hull, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have been carded more often than the Seagulls. Fabian Hurzeler wants his men to press strongly in midfield, making this a great matchup to target Enzo Le Fee. 

The Frenchman is averaging 2.38 fouls drawn per 90 across all competitions this season, with that figure rising to 2.67 at the Stadium of Light. He has drawn 14 fouls across six competitive appearances, including five during Sunderland’s Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar. The Frenchman sees plenty of possession in Sunderland’s midfield and regularly carries the ball into congested areas. Brighton’s aggressive approach should give him opportunities to attract contact whenever he turns away from pressure.

Wesley Fofana will have to deal with Evanilson this weekend, and that is a matchup to keep an eye on. The Brazilian international likes to press aggressively from the front, and his foul numbers have increased significantly since Marco Rose took over as Bournemouth manager.

Evanilson averaged 0.88 fouls per 90 across all competitions last season, but that figure has risen to 1.81 this campaign. He has recorded multiple infringements in four of his six starts, including two fouls against both Man City and Liverpool, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Fofana has drawn exactly two fouls in each of his last three league starts, which shows how he can be adept at drawing contact, and alleviating some pressure on his side by getting free-kicks.

Omar Marmoush has started all five league games for Tottenham since arriving from Man City, operating either from the left or through the middle. If he returns to the wing at Old Trafford, he should find himself directly against Diogo Dalot.

Marmoush has drawn at least one foul in each of his last five Premier League starts, and he is averaging 1.88 fouls drawn per 90 for his new club.

The Egyptian is usually quite positive when he gets the ball, looking to turn and beat his man, which can make him a difficult player to contain. Dalot’s foul record has been inconsistent, but his numbers tend to increase when playing against a more direct winger. He committed three fouls against Man City before the international break, and two when facing Tottenham at Old Trafford last season.

It has been a mixed start for Ipswich, who have recorded two wins and three losses in their opening five Premier League matches. The Tractor Boys have looked a bit weak defensively at times, but they have been able to pose a danger in the final third, and Julio Enciso is a key reason for that. 

The Paraguay international has landed this selection in all five starts overall, including two fouls drawn against both Sunderland and Man United - Ipswich had an average of just 39% possession in those matches. Playing at Portman Road against a struggling Fulham side, Ipswich should be able to exert much more control on proceedings, which makes this price appeal.

With three goals scored from six appearances in all competitions, no Brentford player has been more efficient in front of goal than Kevin Schade. The German international is averaging 2.38 shots per 90, and he has landed this selection in four of his five starts. Brentford have been excellent in the final third this season, and they are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions. 

Meanwhile, Villa have only won one of their opening five matches, one of which was against Spurs who currently sit rock bottom of the league standings. They have looked vulnerable defensively, and Schade will hope to capitalise on that at Villa Park.

Yasin Ayari is averaging 2.72 shots per 90 across all competitions this season, and that figure could rise further while Jack Hinshelwood remains out through injury. His absence has pushed Ayari into a more advanced midfield position, giving him more freedom to make runs into the box and look to get on the end of crosses.

The Swedish international landed this selection against Arsenal just before the break, recording two attempts during Brighton’s impressive 3-0 victory against the title-holders. He also scored for Sweden against Romania during the Nations League, so he should come into this full of confidence. Sunderland have won only one of their opening five league matches, making this a favourable matchup to target Ayari.

Reece James averaged 1.05 shots per 90 across all competitions for Chelsea last season, with that figure rising to 1.22 at Stamford Bridge. His attacking involvement has increased significantly under Xabi Alonso, who has pushed Reece James into midfield. The Englishman missed out against Brentford with a hamstring injury, but he should be fit to start this weekend. 

James is averaging 2.46 shots per 90 this season, and he has recorded multiple efforts at goal in all four starts. That includes three shots against Arsenal at the Emirates, despite that being a tough matchup for Chelsea. This clash against Bournemouth looks much better to target Reece James, as the Cherries are yet to win in the Premier League this season.

It has been a difficult start to life in the Premier League for Alvaro Arbeloa, as Fulham have only picked up two points from their opening five matches. They have scored five goals during that sequence, and Josh King has accounted for two of them.

The 19-year-old has established himself as a key player for Fulham in an advanced midfield position, and he has landed this selection in four of his five starts across all competitions. King has also recorded multiple shots in every Premier League start this term, which shows how involved he is in the final third. No player has recorded more shots on target than Josh King this campaign for Fulham.

The international break arrived at a good time for Man United, as they have failed to win any of their last three matches. Michael Carrick’s side will be desperate to bounce back strongly at Old Trafford, and this looks like the perfect matchup against a Tottenham team still searching for their first league victory. 

Bryan Mbeumo has been one of Man United’s most consistent players, as he has scored twice so far this campaign. The Cameroon international has also landed this selection in all five league starts, including three shots against Man City, and five efforts against Fulham. Mbeumo also scored against Spurs during Man United’s 2-0 victory at Old Trafford last season, so he should be looking forward to this matchup.