Aston Villa vs Brentford. Premier League.
Villa ParkAttendance42,218.
Report and free match highlights as Aston Villa threw away a 2-0 lead after goals from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers; Brentford led 3-2 through from Zanka, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa with 10 minutes to go until Watkins popped up with a late header
Sunday 7 April 2024 07:13, UK
Aston Villa salvaged a late point against Brentford in a six-goal thriller at Villa Park but "lacked big-team mentality" after a second-half collapse saw the hosts throw away a 2-0 lead.
Villa were coasting early in the second half after Morgan Rogers, scoring his first goal for the club, doubled his side's advantage following Ollie Watkins' first-half header. The game was sleepy until Brentford pulled a fortuitous goal back just before the hour.
Matthias Jorgensen kick-started the comeback by scoring with his standing leg, before Bryan Mbeumo volleyed in from close range a minute later. A shell-shocked Villa went to sleep for Brentford's third as Yoane Wissa completed the turnaround.
Villa managed to wrestle their way back into the game and Watkins levelled with another header 10 minutes from time. Unai Emery's side pushed for a winner, and perhaps would have got one if Ezri Konsa had better-timed his header in the 90th minute.
"I'm not belittling my team, I'm part of it. We need to somehow figure out when we're 2-0 up how to shut up shop," Watkins told BBC Sport.
"It's frustrating. We lacked that big-team mentality where they kill games off which is really disappointing."
Tottenham are now in the driving seat for fourth with Villa three points ahead of them having played two games more. Brentford, meanwhile, are now just four points above the relegation zone after Luton's last-minute win over Bournemouth.
Villla will be without Douglas Luiz against Arsenal next Sunday, live on Sky Sports, after he picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in the 97th minute, adding to the frustration of a bizarre performance at Villa Park.
Brentford made a confident start at Villa Park despite never having won away against Aston Villa in a league game. They wanted a penalty inside a minute for Leon Bailey's sliding challenge on Sergio Reguilon but he was deemed to have got the ball first.
Villa had 75 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes, although it was Brentford that were the more dangerous. Bryan Mbeumo struck a free-kick into the side-netting early on before seeing a through ball to Wissa intercepted by Diego Carlos at a vital moment.
The breakthrough for Villa came through Watkins heading in John McGinn's cross against his former club. His celebrations were muted until goal-line technology confirmed that the ball had crossed the line.
Villa came flying out of the traps in the second half and appeared to put the game to bed when Rogers scored on the turn with his left foot to open his Villa and Premier League account. Brentford, it seemed, were at risk of going under but they rallied to turn the game.
Frank's side had fortune on their side for Jorgensen's opener, with the Brentford defender scoring off his standing leg after missing the ball with his initial strike. Perhaps not a surprise that it was only his second Premier League goal on his 100th appearance.
No more than two minutes later and Brentford, who had been nowhere in the game, equalised through Mbeumo. Reguilon, restored to the starting line-up for the first time after serving a suspension, finding him with a cross from the left.
Mbeumo was helped by some suspect defending from Pau Torres, who let the ball float over his head before the Brentford forward volleyed in. The tide had completely turned at this point, with Villa crumbling and Emery unable to lift his side.
Villa were caught unawares for Brentford's third, 10 minutes after their first, as Reguilon put the ball on a plate for Wissa for his second assist of the day.
There was a late twist in the tale, however, as Watkins scored against his former side again to level with 10 minutes to go. He rose highest to nod in Leon Bailey's deflected cross, making it four goals in five in the Premier League against his old club.
Villa had a chance to grab a winner through Konsa, but he could not time his header to deliver the required contact. A victory, though, would have been undeserved after that second-half capitulation.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery:
"It's a lot of things. We played fantastic for a half, fantastic. Like we were doing before at home, when we were feeling strong. The first half was good and then in the second we also got the second goal. We were in control of the game.
"Then for 15 minutes, maybe 20 minutes, we lost control completely. It's not normal. We lost our control, maybe due to the emotions. They scored three goals in 15-minutes, so of course we have to try and keep balance.
"I am very happy with the first half. I am very happy after the third goal, I thought we were pushing for the fourth. Now, I'm a little bit negative because I can't understand the result. You have to analyse to correct it.
Asked about conceding three goals in 10 minutes, he said: "We weren't strong and firm to defend those crosses. I have to analyse and take my time with the players to understand why. Try to move on. The balance now is, we have 60 points. We can be happy. We are having a fantastic Premier League season."
Asked about Villa's top-four chances, he said: "We want to keep the fourth position but if I have to understand we are not strong enough to keep it, then we can assess. I am not a person who will give up when we are here. We have to be positive and be smart.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank:
"Incredible mentality from the players to come back. I thought first half was very even, we gave nothing away apart from the goal, which irritates me that we didn't stop the cross and do better from the cross.
"I was a little bit angry at half-time because I felt we could've done a little bit more on the ball. Then conceding the second, it was just not good enough.
"The response from the players was fantastic. Big praise for coming back to 3-2.
"It is just one of these seasons where it is so difficult to get over the line. They score from a deflected cross that means it lands perfectly on Ollie Watkins' head.
"That is a margin that is dropping for them there. If they had not scored I am pretty sure we would have gone on to win.
"I'm a little bit disappointed but overall very pleased with the mentality of the players."
"I have big belief in these players and in this team. We are building something consistent here. I am happy with the performances and I just want to get over the line and get the win next time."
Aston Villa play the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final against Lille on Thursday; kick-off 8pm.
They return to Sky Sports on Sunday April 14 as they travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on Super Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
Brentford are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they host Sheffield United; kick-off 3pm.
