Unai Emery's Aston Villa beat Brentford 3-1 on Wednesday night at Villa Park in the Premier League and won for the first time in nine games.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 21st minute after carrying the ball from his own half before playing a pass to Ollie Watkins on the left of the box, and the Villa striker returned the ball to Rogers, who curled an effort into the right side of the net.
Watkins got on the scoresheet less than 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after being fouled himself by Ethan Pinnock, though Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken did get a big touch on the ball.
Matty Cash grabbed his side's third in the 34th minute after good work from John McGinn to bring the ball to the box, before Rogers chipped to Cash at the back post which the full-back struck into the ground and into the net.
Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Thomas Frank's Brentford in the 55th minute following Bryan Mbeumo's cross from the right of the penalty area to Yoane Wissa, who flicked the ball on to the back post for the goalscorer to finish from close range.
The result means that Villa have 22 points and are seventh in the table, just four points from fourth-placed Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Brentford are ninth with 20 points, though they are only three points from fifth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rogers's excellent ability in possession was on display, with the forward dribbling from his own half and proving that he is capable of direct goal contributions in the final third.
Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down in the box in the 28th minute and gave away a penalty, which the Villa striker just about struck into the bottom right corner.
McGinn charged forward from near the halfway line and though his cross to the back post was blocked, Rogers was able to collect possession and find Cash.
Damsgaard demonstrated great composure to wait before pulling the trigger, especially as many would have instinctively shot or crossed once they had collected possession from the loose ball in the box.
ASTON VILLA VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
21st min: Aston Villa 1-0 Brentford (Morgan Rogers)
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Morgan Rogers carries the ball from his own half and plays to Ollie Watkins on the left of the box, before he returns the ball to Rogers, who sends a curling strike into the right side of the net!
What a goal!
28th min: Aston Villa 2-0 Brentford (Ollie Watkins)
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Watkins is fouled by the Ethan Pinnock in the box, and strikes his penalty into the bottom right corner despite goalkeeper Mark Flekken getting some of the ball as he dived!
A blitsering 10 minutes of play!
34th min: Aston Villa 3-0 Brentford (Matty Cash)
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Matty Cash charges forward from defence as John McGinn carries the ball forward, and Rogers collects a blocked cross before he cross to the back post to Cash, who hits the ball into the ground and past Flekken!
That must be game over!
55th min: Aston Villa 3-1 Brentford (Mikkel Damsgaard)
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Bryan Mbeumo collects the ball on the right of the box and crosses into the centre to Yoane Wissa, who reaches and flicks the ball on to the back post where Mikkel Damsgaard is able to gather possession and strike home.
Game on?
MAN OF THE MATCH - MORGAN ROGERS
© Imago
Morgan Rogers was pivotal to Aston Villa's resounding win, with the attacker carrying the ball from his own half before opening the scoring with a wonderful strike.
McGinn deserves great credit for his role in his side's second goal of the game, but Rogers was produced the cross from which Cash was able to score.
During the match, the Villa forward was a constant threat, producing two successful dribbles, three shots and created three chances.
ASTON VILLA VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 49%-51% Brentford
Shots: Aston Villa 20-9 Brentford
Shots on target: Aston Villa 10-1 Brentford
Corners: Aston Villa 7-6 Brentford
Fouls: Aston Villa 10-5 Brentford
BEST STAT
Morgan Rogers goals in the Prem:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 4, 2024
4 — This season
3 — All of last season
He also already has more assists than last season. pic.twitter.com/y1om8xDsnO
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa will play Southampton on Saturday in the Premier League before taking on RB Leipzig in the Champions League on December 10.
As for Brentford, they are set to host Newcastle United on Saturday, before travelling to play Chelsea on December 15.
Lewis Nolan
