Brentford's memorable 2021 is now concluded with our final game taking place last night. The Bees ended the year with home defeat to Premier League leaders, and defending champions, Manchester City. They start the new one with another home game as Aston Villa come to West London on Sunday, 2 January, for a match that will kick-off at 2pm.

Defeat to Manchester City was Brentford's second Premier League loss in a row. The Bees also lost to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, Boxing Day, 26 December, which was their first league game since a win over Watford on 10 December. Defeat leaves Brentford 14th in the table.

The Bees are in a group of eight teams separated by just six points. Sunday's opponents, Aston Villa, are also in that gaggle of teams. Villa are 12th in the table, two points ahead of Brentford.

The Premier League table is currently affected by postponements with Manchester City and Chelsea having played 20 games with Burnley only 15. Burnley do play this evening, away to Manchester United. Villa were due to play Leeds United on Tuesday, 28 December, but that game was called off, as was a game against Burnley just before Christmas.

In between those two postponements, Villa were beaten at home by Chelsea on Boxing Day. They have also lost to Manchester City and Liverpool in their last seven games. But they have won the other four after a run of five straight losses.

The game between the teams earlier in the season ended 1-1. Ivan Toney put The Bees in front with his first goal of the season. Emiliano Buendía equalised for the home side and 1-1 was how it finished.

That draw continued a good run for Brentford in games between the teams. Brentford and Villa spent three seasons together in the Sky Bet Championship between 2016 and 2019 and The Bees had the better of things. The games at Villa Park all ended in draws, the last of which was a memorable 2-2 when the hosts equalised with the last kick of the game. Brentford won all three games at Griffin Park.

The last tickets for the match go on sale at 2pm today. My Bees Members can buy one each. Season Ticket Holders who are unable to attend can list their tickets on the Ticket Exchange by logging into their ticketing account. My Bees Members will have the chance to purchase any listed tickets on the Ticket Exchange on a first-come, first-served basis. Full ticket information can be seen here.

The match will be live on Sky Sports in the UK and Brentford fans can also listen live on Bees Player. Full information on the service can be seen here. Bees fans living overseas should check this page to see if they can watch the game live.

Fans attending the game are reminded that COVID-19 protocols are in place at all major outdoor events. Brentford supporters will need to show proof of their COVID status to gain entry. This is a condition of attendance. See full details of all Brentford FC COVID protocols here.