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Aston Villa ended their Premier League winless run in emphatic fashion with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Brentford at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
Unai Emery breathed a huge sigh of relief as Villa claimed three points for the first time in nine matches courtesy of a Morgan Rogers stunner, an Ollie Watkins penalty and a Matty Cash volley.
The Villans exuded confidence in the first half as they dominated possession and took their chances ruthlessly. The second period was a little more touch-and-go, however, as Emery’s men were shaky in possession and allowed Brentford a route back into the clash through a Mikkel Damsgaard goal.
Rogers opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a wonderful finish, cutting in on his right foot and bending the ball into the far top corner. The move started with a superb tackle and turn from Boubacar Kamara, who sent Rogers away on the counter-attack to complete a tidy one-two with Watkins.
Morgan Rogers' stunning curled effort got Villa's scoring underway against Brentford.Morgan Rogers' stunning curled effort got Villa's scoring underway against Brentford.
Morgan Rogers' stunning curled effort got Villa's scoring underway against Brentford. | Getty Images
Villa took just five minutes to double their lead as Watkins won a penalty and converted - albeit a little unconvincingly - by squeezing the ball under Flekken, who had guessed the right way. Leon Bailey played a key role in the goal as it was his through pass that set up Watkins to be fouled by Ethan Pinnock.
It didn’t take long for Villa to extend their advantage as Cash scored a rare goal to make it 3-0, his first in the Premier League since his brace against Burnley 15 months ago. Rogers’ deep cross was flicked on by Pinnock and Cash showed great composure to volley in at the far post.
Villa looked to have carried over momentum into the second period as they initially dictated possession with a swagger, playing skilful passes and taking on defenders for fun. Watkins had two great chances to score again but was twice denied by Flekken, the first a powerful header and the other a driven low strike at the near post.
Complacency then snuck in, however, as Brentford made Villa pay for getting a little too comfortable. Yoanne Wissa flicked on a cross from Bryan Mbuemo and Cash failed to deal with it, allowing Damsgaard to chop inside and fire into the roof of the net from close range to make it 3-1.
Game management remained a little lacking from Villa with regular cheap giveaways but Brentford were equally as sloppy, often returning possession as quickly as it was gained. Jhon Duran made a big difference off the bench as he bossed around Nathan Collins and provided an outlet to help keep Villa high up the pitch. The Colombian was close to scoring twice, too, as he forced two strong saves from Flekken.
Villa were happy to see the tempo of the tie die down in the closing stages as Emery’s side held on to move back up into the Premier League top seven. Here’s how the players rated out of 10.
Emiliano Martinez - 7
Didn’t make a single save but claimed well from set pieces. Couldn’t do much about Damsgaard’s clever finish.
Matty Cash - 8
Scored his first goal of the season to make it 3-0 with a composed volley. Kept Schade at bay with some well-timed tackles but perhaps could’ve done better to deal with Wissa’s flick-on before Damsgaard’s goal.
Ezri Konsa - 7
Tested one-on-one with Schade and Mbuemo on several occasions and didn’t falter.
Tyrone Mings - 8*
A totally dominant showing on his first start since the trip to Newcastle last August, when he suffered his serious injury. Looked unstoppable in the air and provided Villa a renewed sense of calm.
Lucas Digne - 7
Swung in lots of brilliant crosses in the first half, using Van den Berg as a guide to curl into the danger zone. Didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.
Boubacar Kamara - 7 (off 71’)
A solid display as he won possession to send Rogers on his way in the lead-up to the opening goal and didn’t misplace a single of his 31 passes.
Youri Tielemans - 8
Dictated the tempo of the match for large stretches while showing off an impressive passing range. Never looked like losing the ball, even when Brentford pressed high.
Leon Bailey - 6 (off 65’)
Played the vital through ball to Watkins that led to the awarding of the penalty but lacked with his dribbling and gave the ball away in dangerous areas on several occasions. Nowhere to be seen for Damsgaard’s goal, either, as he failed to track back.
Morgan Rogers - 8 (off 87’)
A much better display out on the left flank as he netted the opening goal with an outstanding finish and crossed in for Cash’s volley. Linked up very well with Digne and Watkins.
John McGinn - 5 (off 87’)
Struggled to make his mark despite playing in the advanced attacking midfield role, just behind Watkins. Completed only 13 passes - the lowest of Villa’s starting players - and kept giving the ball away in the second half.
Ollie Watkins - 8 (off 65’)
Converted Villa’s first penalty of the season and set up Rogers’ opener. Looked a constant threat in the channels - and registered a total of four shots on target - but should’ve put a couple more of his chances away.
Jhon Duran - 7 (on 65’)
So unlucky not to score as he Caused Collins all sorts of problems with his physicality, nearly latching onto a couple of Martinez’s long pass attempts. Forced one save from Flekken.
Jaden Philogene - 6 (on 65’)
Didn’t get overly involved but tracked back to do his defensive duties.
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