Patrick Rowe, Sky Sports: Champions League the priority for Aston Villa ahead of Brentford clash | OneFootball

The Champions League is the priority for Aston Villa this season, believes Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe, with their two Round of 16 legs against Club Brugge sandwiching the visit to Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

With Unai Emery's side still in the FA Cup as well, with a tie against the only non-Premier League side left in the competition - Preston North End - on the horizon too, Villa's focus could be elsewhere when they face the Bees in west London this weekend.

Aston Villa are eighth in the Premier League table. How would you summarise how things have gone since the previous meeting with Brentford at the start of December?

Disjointed. Villa have picked up impressive results since the last meeting with Brentford, but a lack of consistency has really cost them.

Dropping points to Wolves and Ipswich, then a resounding 4-1 defeat on the road to Crystal Palace: they do not really go hand-in-hand with Champions League football.

The increase of games - and the intensity at which they are played against Europe’s elite - have taken their toll.

However, the likes of Pau Torres and Boubacar Kamara are on their way back, so the team could finish strong.

Given Villa’s impressive performance in the Champions League so far, is their focus from here finishing as strongly as possible to ensure this is not a one-off?

Champions League is the priority, especially given the draw with Club Brugge and the financial implications associated with progressing.

However, that FA Cup dream is bubbling behind the scenes. Villa have drawn the only non-Premier League side left in the competition and are now just one win away from a trip to Wembley.

It’s been nearly 30 years since they last lifted a major trophy. If the chance is there, they need to give it their all.

Marcus Rashford arrived on loan from Manchester United and seems to have made a solid start. What have you made of what you’ve seen from him so far?

I have enjoyed watching him play. There seems to be real intent with everything he is doing on the football pitch and, most importantly, he is doing it with a smile on his face.

He has three assists to his name already, and that elusive first goal seems like it is just around the corner after going close on multiple occasions.

We all know how fantastic he can be, and I think he’s well on his way to recapturing his finest form.

The £40 million fee to make his move permanent at the end of the season could end up looking like a bargain.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on on Saturday?

This might be an obvious one to suggest but it is none other than three-time Champions League winner Marco Asensio.

He has four goals in six appearances, with Chelsea and Cardiff feeling the full force of what this superstar is capable of.

He came to the club because Unai Emery promised to play him as a no.10 and he is thriving there. His movement into the box, finishing, and control are all out of this world. He is a joy to watch.

What should Brentford expect in terms of shape and style?

It has changed slightly to accommodate for Asensio playing through the middle. There will still be someone playing off Ollie Watkins up-front and someone playing wide out on the left, but Asensio will always be given freedom if he starts.

The width comes from Rashford or Jacob Ramsey down the left.

Keep an eye out for Andrés García at right-back, too. He has quickly become a fan favourite and loves running down that right wing. He can cross it, too.

Villa have only won on one of their last six trips to Brentford. What’s your score prediction for this one?

Villa seem to have caught the away-day bug that Brentford were suffering from earlier in the campaign!

It has not been pretty viewing for them on the road. Just two wins in 12 away from Villa Park tells me walking away with a point would be a good result for Emery’s men. I’ll say 2-2.