Aston Villa vs. Brentford: Last-minute winner frustrates Villa

2019 could not start any worse for Dean Smith and Aston Villa Football Club. Brentford’s stoppage time winner pushed the claret and blues further down the EFL Championship table.

One sole victory in eight matches pits Aston Villa with an arduous task of making the play-offs. Six points adrift, Villa have 14 matches left to make up ground. And unfortunately, the path to winning doesn’t get any easier with West Bromwich Albion due up on Saturday.

At Griffin Park, Villa were thoroughly stomped on from the opening whistle as the home side established dominance. Brentford’s front three of Neal Maupay, Ollie Watkins, and Saïd Benrahma controlled possession in the final third efficiently, hammering away shot after shot. To Villa’s credit, however, the centre-back tandem of Tommy Elphick and Tyrone Mings held firm, blocking several attempts in the process.

Villa had little to nothing going for them in terms of attacking punch, but Albert Adomah did fizzle a chance just wide before half-time.

Ultimately, Smith called upon a double change on the wings to spark some life. Ahmed Elmohamady and André Green replaced Adomah and Anwar El Ghazi with 25 minutes to spare. Conor Hourihane’s 1 v. 1 with goalkeeper Daniel Bentley was the club’s best chance in the second-half, but the Bees’ shot-stopper came up big with the save.

Villa hearts were broken in the first minute of extra time when Neal Maupay slotted home the winner in what was Dean Smith’s homecoming.

1-0 Brentford, and with that, play-off hopes diminish by the passing week. Can Jack Grealish will the team into making a run? Find out at the end of the month! Until then, the claret and blues host West Brom at the weekend in what very well may be another disappointing affair.