Aston Villa vs Brentford Post-Match Thread

[Villa Lew]

Superb 1st half from the boys got a bit nervy after they scored, but a thoroughly deserved win. Kamara and Rogers excellent, but Mings MOTM, he was magnifient, especially as it was his first start in the league since his injury.

[Risso]

That Damsgaard has got the worst hair in football, his goal should have been chalked off for that reason alone.

[Beard82]

I would say Roger’s was motm - Mings very good and we just looked more solid with him there - with him and Martinez you feel like they have a degree of control and leadership even when we had a slightly ragged spell. 

Hopefully everyone comes out of that with boosted confidence - we play a high risk style and confidence is key in it - but I would say that was are best performance in the league so far

[RichardBatchelor]

Superb 1st half from the boys got a bit nervy after they scored, but a thoroughly deserved win. Kamara and Rogers excellent, but Mings MOTM, he was magnifient, especially as it was his first start in the league since his injury.

Agreed. Rogers looked so much crisper and snapper, was superb throughout. He seems to be either brilliant or dreadful, with no in between. Kamara and Cash were also brilliant in the first half - but over the 90 our key performer was Tyrone Mings. Should we have ever doubted it? Love that man.

[Legion]

https://www.skysports.com/football/video/12606/13267121/aston-villa-3-1-brentford-premier-league-highlights

[Meanwood Villa]

We were overrunning them start of second half and could have had another. Their goal was so against the run of play it was ridiculous. 20 odd minutes of nerves but we finished strongly and the subs didn't weaken us. Now let's get a good run going, playing a few teams around us after Saints.

[brontebilly]

I think Kamara is one of my favourite players of the last 20 years. I just love what he brings to the team. Please stay fit!

Outstanding player but won't want to see a repeat of their goal. Sold himself far too easily.

[Matt C]

Better. Much better. We needed that.

[itbrvilla]

Loads of empty seats in the trinity...

[Legion]

Loads of empty seats in the trinity...

Heck!

[Nev]

Brilliant from Mings and you could see his influence on the side, Digne also great. Rogers playing himself back into form and I thought Ollie was better but can't keep missing chances.

I'm still baffled why he keeps hooking Kamara though who's been outstanding in the last 3 games. It can't be fitness,  Mings has played 2 games in 12 months and did 90 tonight. I like Barkley but he's been poor lately.

You could see the confidence return to the side, and we need that to continue into Saturday.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Best 45 minutes since last season. To quote MON that was "Scintillating football".
Mings looked like he'd never been away, Konsa looked happy to have him back and in his favoured position.
Digne made everything look so easy, he's such an unsung hero. Love him!
Kamara is on such a higher level it got to the point where the Brentford players wouldn't even press him.
Cash was like he likes it, busy but generally winning his duels. What a sprint up the pitch to get his goal!
Tielemans had a great first half.
McGinn's energy was back and some of his distribution was superb.
Rogers was finding the space and he was brilliant carrying the ball. His goal wasn't too tatty either.
Watkins had his usual chances and shot straight at the keeper, good power on his penalty though I thought the keeper had saved it and a reminder of how good he can be with his head. Big shift like last season.
Bailey.. he tried and for 45 minutes he was fine, the team were carrying him but fortunately it was only him and it gave him scope to recapture his form and confidence.

Not sure what Unai said to the players at half time, maybe he wasn't happy with the game not being fully controlled and we were too cavalier but the breaks were put on and allowed Brentford far too much of the ball. If Unai was looking for a great defensive training session he found it. The lads managed it but chasing around wasn't great on the legs, especially Tielemans who looked both knackered and lost at times.

Duran did well to create chances for himself as well as working well in the build up. More of that and Watkins will have to start looking over his shoulder. Martinez tried to go long on several occasions to find him and it was great to see us having alternative tactics other than trying to play it out the back.

Good to see Buendia get a few minutes, he tried his best to use the time and I expect we'll see more of him this month.
Barkley needs to remind himself that discipline is key and he can't go back to being an 18 year old at Everton. He has the technique and maturity but it was missing tonight.
Jaden. I'd hoped he would use his skill and pace to attack but other than one great run from the right side to the left flank, every ball was back to Cash.

Overall, a first half straight out of the chapters of the first half of 2023/24, I absolutely loved it, brilliant entertainment, energy and movement, followed by a partially disjointed second half straight out of 2024/25. I predicted a 3-0 win before kick off and at half time I was expecting us to double our lead. I hope we're saving the thrashing for Southampton on Saturday. Play like we did first half and it could be double figures.

[Risso]

Brilliant from Mings and you could see his influence on the side, Digne also great. Rogers playing himself back into form and I thought Ollie was better but can't keep missing chances.

I'm still baffled why he keeps hooking Kamara though who's been outstanding in the last 3 games. It can't be fitness,  Mings has played 2 games in 12 months and did 90 tonight. I like Barkley but he's been poor lately.

You could see the confidence return to the side, and we need that to continue into Saturday.

I think Kamara is the most important player in the squad to be honest, and perhaps they've brought him back a bit ahead of schedule, so has to have his minutes managed. Mings has been behind Torres in the pecking order, so has perhaps got every last bit of recuperation time he needed?

[rob_bridge]

Rogers my motm. Imperious.

Great to hear. Love him overall. He scares me.

[Brazilian Villain]

Best 45 minutes since last season. To quote MON that was "Scintillating football".

It was terrific, absolutely terrific.