Shandon Baptiste’s second-half goal capped off a high-powered Premier League Summer Series finale for both Brentford and Aston Villa, a 3-3 draw at FedExField in Maryland on Sunday.
Josh DaSilva — what a goal — and Bryan Mbeumo also scored to give the Bees a 2-0 lead, but Ezri Konsa, Moussa Diaby, and Matty Cash delivered wonderful goals to put Villa ahead 3-2 at halftime.
Baptiste’s equalizer means Brentford got its first point of the Summer Series, forcing Aston Villa to wait through Chelsea vs Fulham to see if it’s won the PL Summer Series Trophy.
WATCH ASTON VILLA VS BRENTFORD FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Villa drew 3-3 against Newcastle in their Summer Series opener in Philadelphia, then beat Fulham 2-0 in Orlando on Wednesday as Unai Emery’s side are unbeaten and lead the way after two games, while new star signing Moussa Diaby is already among the goals.
Brentford lost their opener 3-2 to Fulham in Philly and then lost 2-0 to Brighton in Atlanta as Thomas Frank’s side are still getting up to speed in preseason and not having Ivan Toney around is obviously a huge miss as they sit bottom of the table.
Bees missing fear factor without Toney; Villa’s potential high
It probably sounds goofy to say this after a game in which both teams scored three goals, but follow us here.
Aston Villa looks dangerous and capable of almost anything when the ball is at their feet. It’s not just that the Villans held possession but that they look to have more passing patterns than most teams, or at least a better understanding of the ones Unai Emery wants them to implement this season.
This club is capable of claiming a cup, and might be the favorite to win the Europa Conference League before we know which Europa League teams will join the field (Sorry to Lille, Fenerbahce, and Eintracht Frankfurt).
As for Brentford, there’s a lot to love from the highlight reel. DaSilva’s goal was electric and the side showed energy and industry in Thomas Frank’s system.
But there’s just something that isn’t connecting when it comes to the opponent’s anxiety heading into a match versus Brentford, and that’s down to the suspension of Ivan Toney.
His status in the Brentford XI is the closest thing to Harry Kane’s status at Spurs; They might threaten if he’s out, but they will if he’s in.
Josh DaSilva’s phenomenal goal earned some in-game review on the Peacock Premium broadcast.
Here’s what the Englishman had to say about his goal and Brentford’s game to that point in what finished a 3-3 draw.
The second half was a bit disjointed but Brentford makes sure it emerges from the Premier League Summer Series with a point following a 3-3 draw.
Villa now has to wait through Chelsea vs Fulham (Watch live at 2:45pm ET via Premier League on Peacock) to see if it wins the first Summer Series trophy.
A winner would claim the trophy while a draw would give it to Villa via goal differential. Villa has five points via a win and two draws and is just ahead of Newcastle on GD.
We were literally typing, “It’s been all Villa but still a one-goal game” when Keane Lewis-Potter cranks an absurd shot from distance off the frame.
The rebound falls into a promising area and after a bounce or two it’s snapped into the goal by Grenada’s own Shandon Baptiste.
3-3.
Brentford led 2-0 on its only shots on target of the frame, one being Bryan Mbeumo’s penalty.
It’s been almost all Villa since, as Unai Emery’s men have 63 percent possession for the half and a 9-2 edge in shot attempts to deliver the break’s 3-2 score line.
Ezri Konsa, Moussa Diaby, and Matty Cash have scored Villa’s goals.
There were plenty of goals, but this is the pick of the litter... possibly for the whole tournament.
Josh DaSilva, folks.
John McGinn makes an ambitious run into the heart of the Brentford midfield for an equally-ambitious long pass from Konsa.
McGinn carries and releases Cash on the right side of the box, and the finish is similar to Diaby’s — Villa’s in front 3-2 after conceding twice in the first 23 minutes!
And we’re level!
Moussa Diaby is isolated on the right side of the 18 and Mathias Jensen is not the most willing of defenders in this moment.
Diaby coolly maneuvers into shooting range and we can see why his left peg is well-respected by most: It’s a hard, bending shot inside the far post.
We’re 2-2 after 32 minutes and the Premier League Summer Series is just the best summer fling around.
That’s a way to make amends for conceding a penalty.
Ezri Konsa intercepts the ball outside his 18 and goes for a ramble that doesn’t stop until there’s a shot on goal.
The Villa center back carries all the way into Brentford’s final third and figures why not try his luck? Konsa bests Mads Flekken and it’s 2-1.
Goodness, gracious.
Josh DaSilva easily dispatches his mark on the right flank with a deft touch of his left foot, and that’s just the start.
The 24-year-old former Arsenal youth then lets loose with a picture-perfect curler off that same left foot, swirling the ball just past the head of Tyrone Mings and beyond the reach of Martinez.
Into the upper 90 you go, ball. Wow. Brentford, 2-0, and Villa’s Summer Series Trophy plans seem well in the distance.
Kevin Schade beats the back line and Ezri Konsa’s bid to tackle the ball from the German inside the box does not go well — Schade even gets a half-shot on Emiliano Martinez while falling to add insult to injury.
Bryan Mbeumo will go to the spot. Martinez does his pre-penalty thing but the mind games have nothing on Mbeumo. It’s 1-0 to the Bees.
Poland international Matty Cash has spoken before Sunday’s match, and he’s got some interesting things to say about training under trophy-collecting boss Unai Emery.
While Brentford waits to see whether someone meets their asking price for David Raya — Bayern Munich and Arsenal have been linked with moves for the Spaniard — here’s what new Bees goalkeeper Mads Flekken feels about the team’s 2023-24 season.
Your Aston Villa team to face Brentford at FedExField. 👊 #PLSummerSeries pic.twitter.com/xLDMJxJ4va
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 30, 2023
🐝 Your Bees to take on Aston Villa this afternoon 👊#PLSummerSeries pic.twitter.com/009XDVokM6
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 30, 2023
With Ivan Toney not around and questions surrounding the future of star goalkeeper David Raya, there is a bit of work for Thomas Frank to do this summer.
Brentford have had two incredible seasons in the Premier League and they have looked sharp on set pieces throughout the Summer Series.
They have looked a little sloppy defensively, which is very uncharacteristic for them.
Unai Emery’s Villa have carried on where they finished off last season as they are full of confidence, new signings are settling in and they look hungry and determined to make a push for the top six this season.
Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins and new signings Moussa Diaby have scored and Emery has shown just how strong his squad is with plenty of rotation.
Villa will be everyone’s bet to sneak into the top four this season because Emery is a wonderful manager, they are well-organized and everybody at the club is pushing in the same direction.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Brentford in the Summer Series live, stream link
Kickoff: 12pm ET, Sunday (July 30)
Where: FedExField - Landover, Maryland
TV Channel/Stream: USA Network and on NBCSports.com