Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford ended with Kristoffer Ajer cancelling out John McGinn’s late goal as the Bees maintained their unbeaten Premier League start at Villa Park.
Image credit: Brentford FC, Brentford official website (match report).
Yehor Yarmoliuk had put Brentford ahead in the 10th minute before Nicolas Jackson equalised two minutes later. McGinn then gave Villa the lead in the 77th minute, only for Ajer to reply in the 79th.
The result left Keith Andrews’ side without defeat in their opening six league games. Brentford’s official report describes that as their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign since 2006/07.
Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford: early goals shared
Brentford’s pressure helped create the opening goal. Kevin Schade won possession high up the pitch and found Igor Thiago. His cross was cleared only as far as Yarmoliuk, who struck a half-volley into the net.
Villa’s response was quick. McGinn found Emiliano Buendia, whose deflected effort reached Jackson at the back post. The striker finished from close range to restore parity.
The hosts then had opportunities to move ahead before the interval. Johan Manzambi was denied by Michael Kayode’s block and Caoimhin Kelleher’s save, with Buendia firing the rebound over.
Kelleher also made two stops near half-time. He parried Jackson’s shot and recovered to keep out McGinn’s close-range follow-up, ensuring the teams went into the break level.
Ajer answers McGinn’s late strike
The second half of Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford began with the visitors threatening again, as Zion Suzuki saved from Schade. Thiago subsequently volleyed over, while Buendia had chances at the other end.
Villa finally went in front with 13 minutes remaining. Aaron Hickey had stopped Ibrahim Mbaye, but Manzambi gathered the loose ball and found McGinn. His curling effort took a deflection on its way in.
The lead lasted only two minutes. Ajer exchanged passes with Jaidon Anthony, whose turn and return ball put the defender into a scoring position. Ajer kept his composure to finish past Suzuki.
Boubacar Kamara had a late opportunity to win it for Villa but could not keep his effort down. The match ended with a point for each side.
What Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford means
Sky Sports’ dated report corroborates the final score and all four scoring times. It records Brentford remaining among the top four, while Villa have one win from their first six league matches.
Both sides experienced how quickly a lead could disappear. Villa replied immediately to Brentford’s opener, and the visitors answered just as quickly when McGinn threatened to decide the game.
For Brentford, the unbeaten run continues. For Villa, converting a winning position into three points remains the part missing from this afternoon’s result.
Our Premier League weekend guide to Sky fixtures and UK kick-offs covers the wider picture.
