Aston Villa slot three past Brentford to record first win since October

Aston Villa scored three first-half goals as they recorded their first win since October with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Brentford at Villa Park.

Villa’s last win came against Fulham 46 days and eight games ago but they jumped back into the top half of the Premier League table with a scintillating first 45 minutes.

Unai Emery has never gone nine matches without a win as manager but Brentford never threatened to prolong that run as Villa cashed in with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash.

Brentford have only managed one point away from home all season and Mikkel Damsgaard’s effort after the break proved to be in vain as their miserable run on the road continued.

Tyrone Mings made his first start in the Premier League since August 2023 in place of Pau Torres while Leon Bailey was brought into the side following their heavy loss to Chelsea.

Bees boss Thomas Frank opted for Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk over Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen. It took a quarter of an hour but Villa began to knock the ball about and the tension inside Villa Park alleviated as the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute.

Boubacar Kamara’s beautiful turn in the middle of the park set Watkins on his way and he teed up Rogers outside the box who whipped into the far corner in magnificent fashion.

Villa went two in front when Ethan Pinnock dragged Watkins down inside the area and the penalty was eventually given by referee Lewis Smith.

Watkins dusted himself down and sneaked his spot-kick into the bottom right corner from 12 yards.

Emery’s side showed no mercy and added a third 11 minutes before the break as the French full-back Lucas Digne’s cross fell to Cash who was waiting at the back post to slam home.

The Bees got themselves on the scoresheet in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo’s cross was diverted into the path of Damsgaard who lashed high into the net.

Watkins then wasted an opportunity to restore Villa’s three-goal lead but his side settled for three goals and a return to winning ways.