Aston Villa surged back into European contention with a comfortable victory over Brentford thanks to an electric first-half performance.
Morgan Rogers gave the Villans a lead on 21 minutes after a cagey start to the contest. The England international stormed with the ball from the halfway line before playing a quick one-two with Ollie Watkins on the edge of the box and lashing home.
Watkins turned scorer minutes later, doubling his side’s advantage by winning a penalty and converting it coolly into the corner. A lengthy VAR check had confirmed the referee’s original decision.
Morgan Rogers struck home a fine opener before Ollie Watkins (right) scored a penalty
Unai Emery’s men were running away with it and added a third within 35 minutes as Matty Cash volleyed home from the far post after a Rogers cross was partially cleared.
Brentford provided a glimmer of hope early in the second period when they scored against the run of play as Martin Damsgaard found himself with some space in the box, before wriggling past his man and firing home.
At this point, Villa might have had memories of the 3-3 between the sides earlier in the year but they steadied a decidedly steady ship to end their painful winless run stretching back to a victory over Bologna six weeks ago.
