Ollie Watkins scored early in the second half
Ollie Watkins scored early in the second half
Aston Villa have secured successive away wins in all competitions for the first time since September after beating Brentford 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the game shortly after half-time, bagging his fifth goal in four games against his former club.
Marco Asensio and Emi Martinez were both absent from the squad due to injury, with the latter replaced by Robin Olsen, who made his first league start of the campaign.
Villa conceded few chances in the first half after John McGinn was dispossessed in the box. Youri Tielemans then bailed him out by winning a couple of tackles to deny Yoanne Wissa.
The Belgian then delivered a perfect cross from a free-kick to find Tyrone Mings, but the defender’s effort on goal was weak, allowing Mark Flekken to save comfortably.
Villa then broke the deadlock at the start of the second period as Watkins fired past Mark Flekken inside the box.
Watkins thought he had turned provider just moments later as he laid the ball off for Morgan Rogers to fire in, but VAR ruled that the striker was offside in the build-up.
Brentford winger Keane Lewis-Potter struck the base of the post in the 71st minute, but Villa continued to defend manfully to complete the double over the Brentford.
Villa are next in action on Wednesday night for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Club Brugge.
Player ratings
Robin Olsen
The Swede came into the starting XI as Emi Martinez wasn't fit to play. Sensibly, he went long when needed and was a safe pair of hands, keeping Villa's fourth league clean sheet of the campaign. 8
Axel Disasi
Disasi continued at right-back this evening having returned to the side against Club Brugge earlier this week. He was a threat from set-pieces and defended excellently in the back four. Showed good recovery pace to get back at Lewis-Potter when the winger tried to beat him on the outside. Celebrated tackles and blocks like goals! 9*
Ezri Konsa
Konsa used his body well to wriggle out of pressure applied by the Brentford forwards. He was top between Disasi and Mings. 8
Tyrone Mings
On the back of a brilliant performance against Brugge, Mings started on the left side of defence once more. He was presented with a good opportunity to open the scoring in the 16th minute after being picked out by Tielemans from a free-kick, but his effort on goal was weak. Another strong defensive display here. 8
Lucas Digne
Digne stood up to Mbeumo's threat on the wing, knowing when to show him wide and nip into the tackle. Top drawer. 8
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans made a crucial couple of tackles to deny Wissa after McGinn lost possession in the eighth minute. Relieved pressure after Villa went ahead. 8
John McGinn
McGinn lost possession in Villa's box early on, which led to the first chance of the game in the eighth minute. He was booked late in the first half after Jarred Gillett claimed he stopped Wissa from leading a counter-attack. The Scot completed 18 of the 21 passes he attempted, four of which were progressed into the final third. 6
Leon Bailey
Bailey kept his place in the team after an encouraging display in Belgium on Tuesday. He held the width of the right flank to be an outlet in the first half, but didn't create much and was replaced by Matty Cash at the break. 6
Morgan Rogers
Rogers was on the periphery of the game for the first 30 minutes, before seeing more of the ball before the interval and seeing a shot blocked for a corner. He thought he scored Villa's second goal just after Watkins' opener, but VAR ruled it out. 6
Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey returned to the starting XI after impressing at the end of Villa's win over Brugge. He whipped the ball towards the top corner in the 12th minute, but his effort was deflected over - it might well have been heading in. With 10 minutes left of the first half, Ramsey put in a perfect cross for Tielemans at the back post. 7
Ollie Watkins
Watkins had very little impact before the break, but came alive in the box after the interval, firing his team into the lead. VAR ruled that he was offside when he assisted Rogers moments later. Watkins has been involved in 10 goals in his last 14 Premier League games in London, scoring nine and assisting one. 7
SUBS
Matty Cash (for Bailey, 46'): The right-back was introduced for the start of the second half. He helped Villa operate in a strong defensive structure, impressing from right wing-back. 7
Boubacar Kamara (for McGinn, 61'): Kamara added more steel to the midfield. Great to have him back. 7
Marcus Rashford (for Ramsey, 68'): Rashford didn't see much of the ball after coming on as Villa were defending for the last 20 minutes of play. 6
Donyell Malen (for Rogers, 90+4'): N/A
Subs not used: Zych, Torres, Bogarde, Maatsen, Garcia.
GOALS
Brentford: N/A
Aston Villa: Watkins (49')
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