Four things we learnt as old boy Watkins grabs winner in bad-tempered Brentford battle

Four things we learnt as old boy Watkins grabs winner in bad-tempered Brentford battle

Four things we learnt as old boy Watkins grabs winner in bad-tempered Brentford battle

This December afternoon at the Brentford Community Stadium, there was a heated match,

but Unai Emery’s hot-hand Aston Villa were unfazed. Despite giving up the opening goal of the match,

they managed to steal three points and finished the afternoon in a share of second position in the Premier League standings.

This season’s surprise package has been Aston Villa, who go into Christmas safely positioned in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Riding a high surge of confidence, they entered this game having defeated Manchester City and Arsenal back-to-back.

In addition to losing their leading scorer from the previous campaign, Ivan Toney,

Brentford also lost star player Brian Mbeumo to injury recently. These are the four lessons we took away from this contest.

Victorious Villa —

With an incredible 38 points this season, Aston Villa is currently sandwiched between Liverpool and Manchester City,

the winners of the previous campaign.

Ben Mee’s dismissal served as motivation for Villa as they battled back from a goal down to salvage three points,

despite the ugly result. Emery’s team has seized the opportunity as the clubs on

each side of them have only managed draws this weekend.

Whether or not they are able to sustain the level of challenge that they have begun this season with remains to be seen,

but securing European competition for another campaign, seems a certainty.

Christmas Cards –

Referee David Coote had a hectic afternoon, handling twelve yellow cards and two reds,

including a huge melee in the final minutes of play.

Unai Emery and Thomas Frank, the managers of both teams, received two of those yellow cards each,

and all of them were issued in 52 frantic minutes.

Brentford’s players alone notched up 19 fouls across the 98 minutes of the game,

with the climax of the bad blood resulting in the sending off of Villa player Boubacar Kamara. But,

it was the sending off of Ben Mee that really changed the game, with Villa taking inspiration

from the dismissal early in the second-half, to spur on their comeback.

One that got away –

Former striker Ollie Watkins came back to haunt his old side, heading in the winner in the 85th minute to sink sorry Brentford.

Watkins has scored 22 goals since Emery took over from Steven Gerrard in the November of 2022, only Erling Haaland and Mohammed Salah have scored more Premier League goals during this time.

As UEFA Euro 2024 draws near, Watkins has established himself as Harry Kane’s finest backup,

making him a lock to travel with the England team this summer. Watkins, like his club,

is playing at the peak of his abilities and was the exact player Brentford was lacking tonight.

How they will be mourning the departure of their former lead singer.

Bad Brentford –

There isn’t much to be happy about for Frank, the players, or the supporters this Christmas because Brentford won’t have another chance to accrue points until December 27.

Regretfully, they have already lost 17 points from winning situations in games,

have the worst record in the premier league, and have had their worst Premier League season to date.

Whether or not Toney makes a comeback to the Brentford starting lineup—a transfer is

reportedly in the works—they will definitely miss him. They have also been unfortunate with the bans

and injuries that have decimated their forward threats.

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