Brentford Battle Back To Beat Aston Villa 2-1
Brentford boss Thomas Frank hailed his “incredible” side after victory over Aston Villa catapulted them into a position he claimed “shouldn’t be possible”.
The Bees, enjoying their first season in the Premier League, came from behind to ruin Steven Gerrard’s return to the dugout and leapfrog Villa to 12th spot through Mads Roerslev’s late winner.
Danny Ings steered Villa ahead after a delightful link-up with Emi Buendia but Roerslev set up Yoane Wissa to curl Brentford level and the Danish wing-back completed the comeback with his first goal for the club.
“We’ve played half our games in the Premier League, with the injuries we’ve had I think it’s incredible what we’ve done – but we want more of course,” Frank told BBC Match of the Day.
“We looked tired, for whatever reason. I don’t know why. I think in that respect it’s even more impressive that we got the three points.
“I think these wins are the bigger wins. We didn’t play our best football today but managed still to win a tight game, which is impressive.
“It shouldn’t be possible that we’re above Villa with the amount of money they’ve spent on their squad in the last two or three years. I think they’re a good club, so the fact that we’re above them is quite good.”
Gerrard, returning from Covid isolation after missing the defeat by Chelsea seven days earlier, saw Ings slide Villa ahead with a precise first-time finish in the 16th minute after a sublime piece of skill by Buendia.
The Argentine playmaker produced an exquisite drag-back in midfield before slipping Ings clear to slide a fine shot inside Alvaro Fernandez’s far post for only his fourth goal since joining the club.
Brentford levelled with their first shot on target three minutes before the break, with Wissa curling home from 20 yards after immaculately controlling Roerslev’s pass.
Villa, without top scorer Ollie Watkins, controlled the majority of the second half but Roerslev poked home the 83rd-minute winner after seeing his initial effort well saved by Emi Martinez.
The visitors almost rescued a point at the death but Fernandez produced an instinctive stop to keep out Ings’ effort from John McGinn’s cushioned pass.
