Aston Villa scored thrice in the first half, as Ollie Watkins had a goal and an assist to help his hosts snap a long winless run with a 3-1 win over dangerous Brentford at Villa Park on Wednesday.
WATCH — Aston Villa v Brentford full replay
Villa won for the first time in nine matches across all competitions and host a dangerous Brentford side on Wednesday, as Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash joined Watkins amongst the goals.
Villa move seventh with 22 points, behind Forest on goal differential.
Mikkel Damsgaard scored in the second half for Brentford, whose 20 points have them ninth.
Villa buzz early to end slump, add to Bees away day struggles
Brentford has one point from seven Premier League away matches following this 3-1 loss, and on Wednesday they were essentially done by halftime. Thomas Frank’s men have scored just five goals away from the Gtech Community Stadium, conceding 14, and those numbers are stunning in comparison to their PL best 6W-1D home record (with a gaudy +10 goal differential). Villa took advantage of those traveling blues early, pasting the lilac-clad Bees thrice in 13 first-half minutes. Ollie Watkins was at the heart of it all, and will look to continue strong play as Villa hope to build a big winning streak following their long unbeaten slide.
Aston Villa vs Brentford player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Brentford player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Aston Villa vs Brentford player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Villa host Southampton at 10am ET Saturday, then go to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Brentford host Newcastle at 10am Saturday.
Aston Villa vs Brentford final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Morgan Rogers 21', Ollie Watkins pen 28', Matty Cash 34', Mikkel Damsgaard 54'
Aston Villa vs Brentford live updates — By Nick Mendola
Mikkel Damsgaard goal! Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford (54th minute)
Bryan Mbeumo’s cross ping pongs around and falls to Damsgaard at the back post.
There’s work to do, and he dribbles to give himself an angle to blast the ball past Martinez.
Halftime — Aston Villa 3-0 Brentford
It’s not quite academic, but it’s academia adjacent.
Matty Cash goal! Aston Villa 3-0 Brentford (34th minute)
Rogers lifts a cross toward the back post.
Ollie Watkins is offside and misses it, but Cash is behind him and cashes in.
Pun intended for the Polish right back.
Aston Villa penalty — Ollie Watkins goal. Aston Villa 2-0 Brentford (28th minute)
Ethan Pinnock takes down Ollie Watkins on a break and after a brief delay Watkins gets to take a penalty.
Flekken reads it right but only gets a hand to push the ball inside his left post.
2-0.
Morgan Rogers goal! Aston Villa 1-0 Brentford (21st minute)
Really good football here.
Boubacar Kamara shakes out of the Bees midfield press and soon it’s Morgan Rogers driving play with a long dribble.
Rogers spots Watkins on the left inside edge of the 18, and Watkins holds it long enough for Rogers to get into shooting position.
Now it’s a cute, curled, pinpoint shot over Flekken. Sweet stuff and the Villans lead.
Lucas Digne aims low
Mark Flekken has to act quickly to collect a dipping effort from Lucas Digne, as Villa are finding their way into the game.
Possession nearly level after 13 minutes. Still scoreless.
Bright start for the lilac-topped Bees
Vitaly Janelt’s midfield press turns the ball over and the Bees nearly have the first proper chance of the match.
A corner kick is caught by Emiliano Martinez, however, and we remain scoreless.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Watkins
Brentford lineup
Flekken, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa
How to watch Aston Villa vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3:15pm ET, Wednesday (December 4)
Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Aston Villa vs Brentford preview — By Joe Prince-Wright
Unai Emery’s Villa lost 3-0 at Chelsea on Sunday and were totally outplayed as they looked shaky at the back once again. They have plenty of injured players back but everything just looks a bit sluggish from Villa right now as they juggle Premier League and Champions League action. This poor run of form has also impacted their attacking players as they missed some big chances on the counter attack at Chelsea with Ollie Watkins struggling a little for confidence. Emiliano Martinez has a wrist injury and was forced off at half time at Chelsea but could return.
Brentford weren’t struggling for confidence at the weekend as they beat Leicester 4-1 at home to make it six wins from seven at home this season. They have only picked up one of their 20 points away from home and being better away from west London is the next step for Thomas Frank’s side. Kevin Schade is finally back to full fitness and grabbing his first Premier League hat trick at the weekend was a huge moment for the young German forward.
Aston Villa team news, focus
It feels like Leon Bailey, Jhon Duran, Emiliano Buendia, Ian Maatsen, Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley could all start this game as Emery shuffles his lineup in search of more defensive solidity and an attacking threat. Villa have this big of a squad for a reason and given recent poor displays, they have to rotate to try and get back on track. The main injury issue is star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who injured his wrist against Chelsea. If he can’t go then Robin Olsen will start.
OUT: Jacob Ramsey (thigh)| QUESTIONABLE: Amadou Onana (foot), Emiliano Martinez (wrist)
Brentford team news, focus
With so many defensive injuries, it is incredible Brentford already have 20 points on the board this season. Schade, Wissa and Mbeumo are a real threat up top and will try to make the most of Villa’s high defensive line. Brentford will look to play direct as often as possible and will hope they can stop the supply to Watkins up top.
OUT: Josh Dasilva (knee), Kristoffer Ajer (foot), Rico Henry (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Gustavo Nunes (lower back) | QUESTIONABLE: Mathias Jensen (thigh)
Aston Villa vs Brentford prediction
This feels like Villa will get back to winning ways and Watkins will cause some problems on the counter. It will be end-to-end and Brentford will like Villa’s high-line, but Emery will go for a more pragmatic system and display. Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford.
