Villa Player Ratings – Brentford 2 v 1 Aston Villa – Report: Disappointing Defeat

Villa fell to an away defeat against Brentford. This came despite having led the game and being in total control. Villa were arguably too casual in the first half, and were punished again for this in the second, as Brentford seized upon sub-par defending to grab all three points.

FIRST HALF

Villa controlled the first period, with McGinn, Ramsay and Luiz dominant in midfield.

The breakthrough came courtesy of a very slick attacking move.

Luiz released Buendia, who coolly made a 360 degree spin before releasing Ings into the channel. Ings had much to do, but fired a low effort expertly into the far corner. It was a superbly worked goal, with Ings visibly delighted to have found the net having gone close just minutes earlier.

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Villa were in no trouble, but were naive not to take advantage of Brentford visibly rocking and the crowds discontent at the prospect of a 4th straight loss. Traore was guilty on more than one occasion of overplaying when well placed, often having done the hard work. He was poor on the day.

We were punished a few minutes before the break and very much against the run of play. Ramsay and Targett were skinned down the left flank, before Wissa moved free of a rusty looking Hause. Wissa curled a lovely finish beyond the helpless Martinez. A totally avoidable goal that served to un-do the solid foundations that had been built across the half.

SECOND HALF

The second half was hard viewing, despite Villa having the lions share of possession.

Buendia went close with a curling effort and Ings saw a smart turn and effort denied.

Villa had done well to contain Toney, but had Martinez to thank with the Argentine keeper just managing to tip an effort onto the post. The Brentford striker was then booked for a challenge from behind on substitute Morgan Sanson as he attempted to break. Buendia was in the wars too and appeared fortunate not to break an arm after and awkward fall.

Brentford then turned the game on its head, scoring in the 82nd minute. Once more neither Hause nor Targett could deal with the danger. Martinez pulled off another good save, but no-one could react to the rebound, with Roerslev hammering home the second.

Ings almost replied within a couple of minutes, with the Saints keeper fashioning a low save before Brentford somehow scrambling the rebound behind. The save was as good as the clever flicked through ball from McGinn to create the chance.

The Scot soon after then managed to talk himself into a yellow card late on. This is all the more annoying given McGinn will now miss the next game against Manchester United through suspension.

Villa huffed and puffed without creating anything of note as injury time ticked away. The less said about Trezeguet’s embarassing simulation to attempt to win a penalty, the better.

This goes down as a disappointing defeat, especially given that Villa were ahead and in complete control.

For Gerrard, it will likely cement in his mind exactly where Villa’s weaknesses are as he considers January reinforcements. Ming was a big miss, as Villa’s left side was exploited for both goals and opportunities further up the pitch were spurned.