John Townley’s Aston Villa player ratings after Unai Emery’s side fall to defeat at home to Brentford in the Premier League
Tammy Abraham was denied a goal on his second debut for Aston Villa(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
Tammy Abraham was controversially denied a goal on his Aston Villa return as Unai Emery’s side were defeated 1-0 by 10-man Brentford.
Dango Ouattara opened the scoring in first half added time, shortly after Kevin Schade was sent off for the visitors. Abraham thought he had equalised early in the second half, but his goal was chalked off after VAR ruled that the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.
Villa remain in third place, with a five-point cushion over fourth-placed Manchester United, but have now lost consecutive home league games for the first time in nearly two years.
Last week’s new recruits, Abraham and Douglas Luiz, both started for Villa against Brentford, while Ollie Watkins was unavailable through injury.
Abraham had the first chance of the game when he was played in by Morgan Rogers, but from a tight angle and under pressure from Jordan Henderson, his effort was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Villa’s next significant opportunity fell to Ezri Konsa, who was picked out by Douglas Luiz from a deep free-kick, but the former Bees defender hooked his volley high and wide.
In the 42nd minute, Brentford were reduced to 10 men when Schade kicked out at Matty Cash while both players were on the floor in a tangle.
Despite being a man down, it was the away side who took the lead. Ouattara’s cross from the right was deflected back to him after a poor clearance from Torres, and the winger fired into the top corner at an angle.
Emery made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Leon Bailey for Lamare Bogarde, and Villa came out strongly.
Abraham thought he had marked his return with an equaliser after following up on Jadon Sancho’s effort, which was parried by Kelleher, but VAR ruled the goal out.
Later, VAR also judged that the ball had gone out of play when Bailey tried to keep it in.
With Villa camped around Brentford’s penalty box, Matty Cash came closest to scoring in the 66th minute when the ball was played back to him inside the area, but Kelleher made a strong save to deny the right-back.
Just before 10 minutes of added time at the end of the second half, Bailey cut inside and fired towards goal, but his effort cleared the crossbar when he ought to have done better.
After failing to breach Brentford’s defence, Villa lost against Brentford at home in the league for the first time in 11 previous games.
Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa(Image: PA)
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez was beaten at an angle by Ouattara, who finished well at the end of the first half. 6
Matty Cash
Cash locked Schade down on the wing and frustrated him so much that he kicked out at him, earning himself a red card. 7
Ezri Konsa
Konsa won six of the seven duels he competed in across the game and misplaced just one of the 82 passes he attempted. 7
Pau Torres
Torres’ clearance from Ouattara’s cross fell right back at the winger’s feet, and he finished well. 5
Ian Maatsen
Maatsen returned to the starting XI this afternoon. He fired over from inside the box after being picked out by Luiz from a corner. 6
Lamare Bogarde
Bogarde came off at half-time for Leon Bailey. 5
Douglas Luiz
Luiz came straight into the starting XI today, playing alongside Bogarde in the double pivot. After a slow start in the first half, he began to show his quality. In the 31st minute, he used lovely footwork to wriggle away from trouble and combine with Buendia. Created the most chances in the game. 6
Jadon Sancho
Sancho played off the right today but struggled to get involved in the final third in the first half. That changed in the second, as Brentford were reduced to 10 men, and his positive play led to what Villa thought was an equaliser when Abraham tucked away a rebound. 5
Morgan Rogers
Rogers played an excellent ball into Abraham’s stride in the 15th minute and showed neat footwork to evade challenges. 5
Emi Buendia
Buendia combined effectively with his teammates and dropped into pockets to receive the ball. Croweded out in the second half. 5
Tammy Abraham
Abraham largely impressed on his second debut. He had Villa’s first chance of the game, which was saved by Kelleher. Another effort inside the box was blocked by a Brentford defender just before the half-time whistle. He thought he had bagged an equaliser early in the second half, but it was chalked off by VAR. 6
SUBS
Leon Bailey (for Bogarde, 46′): Bailey sized up Brentford defenders and was positive in possession, coming in on his left from the right wing. He had a big chance to equalise in the 90th minute, but blazed his effort over the bar. 5
Harvey Elliott (for Sancho, 78′): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Mings, Lindelof, Digne, Barkley, Hemmings, Onana.
GOALS
Aston Villa: N/A
Brentford: Ouattara (45+1′)
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