Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford: Rogers wondergoal helps snap winless streak

Morgan Rogers’ superb goal set Aston Villa on their way to a commanding 3-1 home victory over Brentford, ending their eight-match winless streak in all competitions.

Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash were all on target in a 13-minute flurry of goals in the first half that proved decisive at Villa Park.

An impressive victory saw Unai Emery’s side end their alarming recent run of form, which had included collecting just two points from their last five Premier League games.

A long-range strike from Rogers midway through the first half broke the deadlock, and Watkins swiftly doubled the lead with a penalty kick he had won himself.

Cash’s thumping volley stretched the advantage further, with Mikkel Damsgaard’s early second-half strike only proving to be a consolation for Brentford, who continue to struggle away from home.

The hosts return to the Premier League’s top half in seventh place on 22 points – two more than Thomas Frank’s side, who slip to ninth.

Feelin’ gooodpic.twitter.com/roBZN3K0zp

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 4, 2024

Data Debrief: Villa end drought as Bees’ tricky travels continue

Emery was in danger of overseeing a nine-match winless streak for the first time in his managerial career.

However, Villa ensured that would not be the case with a clinical first-half display. Watkins was on target for the fourth time in his last three appearances against his former club.

Meanwhile, Cash’s strike was his seventh Premier League goal; the joint-most amongst Polish internationals in the competition’s history, alongside Jan Bednarek.

The hosts have now lost just one of their last 12 league games at Villa Park, where Brentford have now failed to win in 10 league attempts.

Not only that, but just one of the Bees’ 20 points this season have been registered away from home. Though a cause for concern, Frank’s side are still well placed in the table.