Aston Villa 0-1 Brentford Player Ratings: Dango Ouattara's Strike Secures a Narrow 1-0 Victory for the Bees

Villa Park was stunned as Brentford pulled off a ruthless smash-and-grab, leaving Aston Villa wondering how dominance translated into defeat. The hosts controlled possession, peppered the box with chances, and spent most of the night camped in the Brentford half; yet walked away empty-handed thanks to inspired goalkeeping and stubborn resistance.

The contest flipped just before the interval. Kevin Schade’s reckless straight red card appeared to hand Aston Villa complete control, but Brentford responded in remarkable fashion. Against the run of play, Dango Ouattara produced a moment of brilliance, firing home a sensational finish from a tight angle to give the ten-man visitors a shock lead at the break.

Relentless pressure followed after halftime. Aston Villa laid siege to the Brentford goal, with Douglas Luiz orchestrating play and chance after chance falling the hosts’ way. Still, heroic defending and an outstanding Caoimhín Kelleher ensured the Bees held firm until the final whistle. Sportsdunia brings you the Aston Villa vs Brentford player ratings from this dramatic Premier League clash below.

Key Takeaways

• Aston Villa controlled possession and territory but failed to convert sustained pressure into goals.
• Brentford showed immense character after Kevin Schade’s red card, defending deep and disciplined.
• Dango Ouattara’s clinical finish proved decisive in a game Villa largely dictated.

Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Brentford

Check out Aston Villa player ratings from the game:

Goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez - 6.5: From our perspective, he had very little to do for large parts of the game. He was a spectator for much of the second half. The goal he conceded was a moment of sheer quality that he could do absolutely nothing about. His distribution was solid, but it was ultimately a quiet and frustrating evening for the Villa keeper.

Defenders

Matty Cash - 7.0: A really energetic performance down the right flank. He was a constant outlet for Villa, pushing forward and delivering three accurate crosses. He also wasn't afraid to have a go himself, registering four shots. Defensively, he was sound, winning most of his duels and making some key recoveries.

Ezri Konsa - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, game from the captain. He was extremely tidy in possession, completing 99% of his passes. What stood out to us was his miss in the first half from close range; a goal there changes the whole complexion of the match. Defensively, he was strong and didn't put a foot wrong.

Pau Torres - 7.0: A classy display from the Spaniard. He was composed on the ball and his passing range was on full display, always looking to build from the back. Made a vital clearance and was a threat in the opposition box on set pieces. A performance of quiet authority amidst the chaos.

Ian Maatsen - 7.0: We noticed his tireless running up and down the left wing all game. He was fantastic, winning 80% of his tackles and contributing in attack with two key passes. He put in a real shift and didn't deserve to be on the losing side. A very impressive display of stamina and skill.

Midfielders

Douglas Luiz - 8.0: He was the best player for Aston Villa, without a doubt. He was the only one who looked capable of unlocking the stubborn Brentford defence. He created an incredible five chances, including one big chance, and was a constant threat. His performance was the highest-rated on his team, and it's a shame his efforts weren't rewarded.

Lamare Bogarde - 5.5: A difficult day at the office for the youngster. He seemed a little off the pace and struggled to impose himself on the game. He was hooked at halftime, which was a fair decision as Villa needed to change something. A learning experience for him.

Jadon Sancho - 6.5: Showed some nice touches and moments of skill. He created two good chances and linked up play well in the final third. However, he just couldn't provide that killer pass or moment of magic that was required. Drifted out of the game before being substituted.

Emiliano Buendía - 6.5: A typically tenacious performance filled with hard work. He got into some good positions and had four shots, but his finishing and final ball let him down. You can never fault his effort, but it was a frustrating afternoon where things didn't quite click for him.

Morgan Rogers - 6.0: A really mixed performance. He created two big chances which was excellent, but he was also incredibly wasteful, losing possession 23 times. That's a number that just can't be ignored. He picked up a booking for a frustrated tackle which summed up his day.

Forwards

Tammy Abraham - 6.0: It was a thankless task for him against a deep-lying defence. He thought he'd scored the equaliser, but it was chalked off. He battled hard but was marshalled well by the Brentford centre-backs and missed a significant chance. He just couldn't find the space he needed to be effective.

Substitutes

Leon Bailey - 6.5: His introduction at halftime provided a spark. He was direct and caused problems with his pace, but his final product was inconsistent.

Manager

U. Emery Etxegoien - 6.0: He set his team up to dominate, and they did, but they lacked a clinical edge. His halftime change was logical, but perhaps he could have been more proactive with his substitutions later in the game. He'll be baffled as to how his side lost this.

Brentford Player Ratings vs Aston Villa

Here are the Brentford Player Ratings from the match against Aston Villa:

Goalkeeper

Caoimhín Kelleher - 8.5: An absolutely heroic, man-of-the-match performance. He was the reason Brentford left with three points. He made five crucial saves, including four from inside the box, and commanded his area with authority. A flawless display between the sticks that left us seriously impressed.

Defenders

Michael Kayode - 6.5: He had a very difficult job against Villa's attackers but he battled gamely. He was caught out a couple of times and was booked, but he won a surprising number of his duels. Showed great character to stick with it under immense pressure.

Kristoffer Ajer - 7.5: A true defensive warrior. What stood out to us were his 10 clearances and three blocked shots. He put his body on the line time and time again for the cause. He was a rock at the heart of the defence and a huge reason for the clean sheet.

Sepp van den Berg - 7.0: A very composed and mature performance alongside Ajer. He read the game intelligently, making five clearances and showing great positional sense. He didn't do anything flashy, he just did his defensive job with minimal fuss. Excellent.

Rico Henry - 6.0: It was a tough outing for him, as he was constantly under pressure. He made an error that led to a shot which was uncharacteristic. His afternoon was cut short by an injury, which was a real shame. Worked hard until then.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson - 6.0: Was doing a decent job of screening the defence and breaking up play before his injury. His experience was a calming influence in the early stages. The team coped without him, but it was a blow to lose him.

Vitaly Janelt - 7.5: A phenomenal midfield display. He was everywhere, making a remarkable five interceptions and five clearances. His defensive work rate was off the charts, and he was absolutely vital in protecting the backline, especially after the red card. An unsung hero.

Mathias Jensen - 6.5: The captain led by example with his work rate. He ran himself into the ground for the team, covering every blade of grass. While he didn't see much of the ball, his defensive contribution and leadership were crucial in a chaotic game.

Kevin Schade - 4.0: A moment of pure stupidity to get a straight red card just before halftime. He let his teammates and manager down badly. His side's incredible victory completely papers over his dreadful lack of discipline.

Forwards

Dango Ouattara - 7.5: The match-winner. It was his only shot of the game, but what a shot it was. A truly stunning finish from a difficult angle to win the game. He provided the one moment of world-class quality in attack that decided the match. His job was done.

Igor Thiago - 5.0: We felt for him, it was a tough and lonely shift up front. He was caught offside three times and was dispossessed on four occasions. He held the ball up occasionally but offered very little goal threat. A forgettable performance.

Substitutes

Nathan Collins - 6.5: Came on and slotted into the defence seamlessly, adding more height and resilience as Brentford held on.

Yehor Yarmoliuk - 6.0: Brought fresh energy to the midfield and chased everything down, helping to relieve pressure.

Manager

K. Andrews - 8.0: A tactical masterclass in game management. After the red card, he organised his team into an unbreakable defensive unit. His players showed immense fight and character for him, which speaks volumes. He deserves huge credit for this incredible away win.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match was Caoimhín Kelleher.

Worst Performer

Kevin Schade was the worst performer in the Aston Villa vs Brentford.