Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford: Unai Emery's side end eight-game winless run with dominant victory over the Bees
Unai Emery's Aston Villa finally snapped their streak of eight winless matches with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Brentford, showcasing an outstanding performance in the first half.
Any anxiety at Villa Park faded quickly as the home team surged ahead with a three-goal advantage within the first 35 minutes.
Morgan Rogers crafted a beautiful goal by curling the ball into the top corner, setting off an attack. Then, Ollie Watkins scored the second goal by converting a penalty after being fouled by Ethan Pinnock.
Player evaluations: Rogers shines brightly
Aston Villa: Martinez (6), Cash (8), Konsa (7), Mings (7), Digne (8), Bailey (6), Kamara (7), Tielemans (7), McGinn (7), Rogers (9); Watkins (9). Aston Villa's player ratings are as follows: Martinez receives a score of 6, while Cash earns an 8. Konsa and Mings both get a 7, and Digne also shines with an 8. Bailey is rated at 6, and Kamara, Tielemans, and McGinn all receive a score of 7. Rogers stands out with a 9, as does Watkins, who also gets a 9.
Substitutes: Duran (7), Philogene (6), Maatsen (not applicable), Buendia (not applicable).
Brentford: Flekken (8), Van den Berg (5), Collins (5), Pinnock (4), Lewis-Potter (6), Janelt (5), Yarmoliuk (6), Damsgaard (7), Schade (6), Mbeumo (6); Wissa (6).
Substitutes: Maghoma (6), Carvalho (6), Thiago (7), Roerslev (not applicable).
Star of the Game: Morgan Rogers.
Matty Cash scored the third goal with a volley at the back post. However, there were some doubts about the validity of the goal, as Watkins seemed to be in an offside position and may have affected the play just before the ball slipped by Mark Flekken.
After the break, it was largely the same situation, but Brentford managed to score a goal unexpectedly just before the 60-minute mark.
The ball landed at Mikkel Damsgaard's feet in the penalty area, and he skillfully maneuvered around a defender before blasting the ball into the top corner of the net.
Brentford gained some confidence from their goal but couldn't get past the Villa defense again. Meanwhile, Emery's team broke their streak of poor performance and climbed to seventh place, overtaking Brentford in the standings.
Watkins: We Fully Support Emery
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins chatting with Amazon Prime:
"We began the match with great energy and took the initiative right away. An early goal helped ease the tension in the crowd. Everyone here is feeling composed and we believe in our coach's ability to help us make a comeback."
"A single victory would move us up to seventh place, which shows just how tight the standings are. It's important for us to concentrate on our upcoming match and establish some positive momentum. We aim to make our home ground a stronghold. Even with a few inconsistent performances, there's a solid foundation for us to work from."
Weights Raised At Villa
Patrick Rowe from Sky Sports:
Emery and his team feel a sense of relief, and they can now approach their upcoming home match against last-place Southampton with a boost of confidence.
The Villa manager had never experienced a stretch of nine consecutive games without a victory throughout his coaching career, and it was obvious from the very start that his players were determined to change that.
Emery breaks the winning run.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has never experienced a stretch of nine matches without a victory in his coaching career.
At times, Villa showcased their top form again, with Rogers, Watkins, and Leon Bailey frequently charging forward into open space during counterattacks.
All three goals came from fast, impressive pushes down the field, and with this win, the team has climbed to seventh place. The previous streak of eight games without a win now feels like a thing of the past.
"We have overcome the string of poor performances we were experiencing. It's essential for us to create an environment that feels like home, and our fans have been really supportive. That's the approach we need to take," Emery stated following the match.
"I believe we performed really well. They allowed us to change plays and create opportunities. The way we played today will boost our confidence moving forward."
While it may not be sufficient, we must continue to push forward. The key takeaway is to make an effort and maintain our focus.
Frank: We Were Wronged By Penalty Decision
Brentford manager Thomas Frank chatting with Amazon Prime:
"They were the superior team and performed impressively. Unfortunately, we didn't play our best, which was a poor mix. The penalty decision didn't go in our favor, and I'm curious about the reasoning behind it. To me, it seemed lenient and didn't reach the level of severity needed for a penalty."
Brentford's Away Form Is Now Concerning
Patrick Rowe from Sky Sports:
"There's no denying that we're stronger when we play at home," Frank remarked following yet another loss away from home.
Brentford currently holds a strong ninth place, but their performance outside the Gtech Community Stadium is hindering the team's progress.
They have only managed to earn one of their 20 points away from home, but the way they lost this latest match is particularly concerning for the Brentford manager.
"Out of the seven away matches, two have been poor showings: today's game and the one against Fulham," Frank added.
"I believe that by the end of the season, we'll secure some victories on the road. They performed exceptionally well and demonstrated why they compete in the Champions League."
Out of their remaining five matches until the end of 2024, three will be played away from home. The Bees must overcome their mental hurdles when playing away, or else this season may fade into insignificance.
