Thomas Frank addressed the gathering media at Jersey Road on Friday. He spoke about the potential impacts of Aston Villa’s managerial change, the Villans’ recent performances and a reunion with Ollie Watkins.

Thomas Frank believes that Aston Villa ‘will come out with big energy’ against Brentford on Sunday.

Villa parted company with head coach Steven Gerrard last night following a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, and Frank was asked what he expects from them in their first game under the stewardship of caretaker manager Aaron Danks.

“You never know, but one thing is for sure, they will come out with big energy,” said Frank.

“The fans will back the team more because they know the boys need them. The interim manager, Aaron Danks, I don’t know him, but I’m convinced he’ll say ‘bring energy, play for the fans, run for the fans’.

“I didn’t see a team that didn’t want to run for [Steven] Gerrard, but sometimes you maybe need that moment that you go again and add five or ten per cent more.”

Frank said that he watched Villa’s recent game against Chelsea – a 2-0 home loss - and thought that their performance deserved more.

“They looked very good, in the first half especially,” he said.

“It was a little bit like our game against Brighton. We got 1-0 and then 2-0 in front. People will say that we didn’t deserve to win, and I can understand why Brighton were disappointed not to get something out of the game.

“It’s the same with this game. The way Villa played was very good. With the mistake by Mings after six minutes, that’s tough.

“I was feeling for him [Gerrard] because I’ve been a head coach for many years now and sometimes you just need the margins or the luck from the football gods.”

Frank spoke fondly of former Brentford striker Ollie Watkins, who could line up against Brentford on Sunday.

“For any player, confidence is important, especially for offensive players,” said Frank.

“When things are not going the right way it is more difficult to produce good numbers.

“Ollie did very well in his first season in the Premier League, and again the year after, so I’m convinced he’ll come back to play well and score goals – just hopefully not on Sunday!”

Frank concluded his press conference by revealing that there are no fresh injury concerns following the Bees’ goalless draw with Chelsea on Wednesday.

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