Villa back to winning ways
Aston Villa 3 - 1 Brentford
Aston Villa ended an eight-game winless run in style, defeating Brentford 3-1 at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side had not tasted victory in the Premier League since their October triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage. However, they took the lead early on when Morgan Rogers unleashed a stunning curling strike from the edge of the box into the top corner.
Ollie Watkins, a former Brentford player, doubled Villa's advantage just seven minutes later. The striker coolly converted a penalty after being brought down by Ethan Pinnock in the area.
Despite Brentford’s promising start in possession, they found themselves further behind when Matty Cash smashed home Rogers’ pinpoint cross at the far post.
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The away side's keeper, Mark Flekken, made several impressive saves, including one to deny Watkins from heading in Villa’s fourth early in the second half. Mikkel Damsgaard gave Brentford a glimmer of hope with a powerful close-range strike, but Villa remained firmly in control.
Flekken was kept busy throughout, producing fine stops to thwart Watkins and his substitute Jhon Duran. Brentford’s Thiago squandered a late chance, firing over the bar shortly after coming on, leaving Villa to close out a comfortable win that moves them up to seventh in the table, two places above the Bees.
How Aston Villa recovered their style
This victory will be a huge boost for Emery, who had criticised his team’s lack of sharpness following their recent defeat to Chelsea. Against Brentford, Villa showed clinical finishing, particularly in the first half.
Although the hosts made a few sloppy passes early on, Rogers’ fourth league goal of the season – a personal best for the 22-year-old – sparked them into life. Leon Bailey deserves credit for his assist to Watkins, whose penalty found the net despite Flekken getting a hand to it.
Watkins, who has now scored 36 Premier League goals at Villa Park, came agonisingly close to equalling Dwight Yorke’s club record of 37, but was repeatedly denied by Brentford’s inspired keeper.
While Damsgaard’s goal briefly threatened a Brentford comeback, Cash’s first goal of the campaign ensured Villa stayed in control. The home side created the better chances throughout, racking up 20 attempts – their highest in a league match this season.
Duran, still searching for his first Premier League goal since September, was also frustrated by Flekken’s heroics, but Villa’s commanding performance secured three vital points and a much-needed morale boost.
Best social media reaction
A good win for Villa tonight. Some of their players looked back to their best eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/search/label...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 4 December 2024 at 23:21
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