Ollie Watkins dismal, Youri Tielemans impressive – Aston Villa ratings v Brentford
Aston Villa are yet to score a goal in the 2025/26 Premier League season and Unai Emery’s side were surprise losers against Brentford.
The Villains started slowly and never found their feet against the Bees in a 1-0 loss at the GTech on Saturday, 23 August.
Dango Ouattara scored a debut goal, making the most of a fortunate rebound to give Keith Andrews‘ side the lead in the 12th minute.
Brentford looked to have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, but referee Tony Harrington surprisingly ruled out the effort for a slight nudge on Emi Martinez.
Despite having 76% of the possession, Villa were unable to craft any real chances of note, and have just one point from their opening two games of the season.
Aston Villa fall flat against Brentford
Emi Martinez – 5
Lucky. Martinez made a good save for the Ouattara’s opener, with the rebound falling at the Brentford winger’s feet fortuitously, but the Argentine shot-stopper had some good luck of his own when Mikkel Damsgaard’s goal to make it 2-0 was disallowed in questionable circumstances after the 32-year-old received a slight bump in the penalty box.
Matty Cash – 7
Matty Cash was linked with a return to Nottingham Forest, but Villa will likely be keen to keep hold of their long-serving right-back after his strong performance against Brentford solidified his value in Unai Emery’s system.
Pau Torres – 4
Filling in for the suspended Ezri Konsa, the Spaniard distributed the ball well, but struggled to keep up with Brentford’s lightning-quick counterattacks.
Tyrone Mings lucky to avoid sending off
Tyrone Mings – 3
Tyrone Mings was lucky to escape a red card for a high foot against Keane Lewis-Potter and the defender looked uncomfortable for much of the match.
Lucas Digne (off for Maatsen 64′) – 5
Wayward. Lucas Digne’s strengths lie in his pinpoint crossing from the left flank, but with his deliveries failing to find their target, the Frenchman was rendered fairly ineffective.
Boubacar Kamara – (off for Buendia 16′) – N/A
Boubacar Kamara was taken off in the first half following a seemingly innocuous challenge, and his injury issues are beginning to become a problem for Villa.
Amadou Onana (off for Malen 64′) – 6
Good energy and defensive work in Kamara’s absence, but Amadou Onana’s passing in the final third lacked a cutting edge as he often opted for the safe option.
John McGinn (off for Bogarde 75′) – 4
Ineffective. John McGinn was once again used as a makeshift winger, and the Scotland international spent much of the game in the pocket of Lewis-Potter.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Tidy. Youri Tielemans began the game in an attacking midfield position, before being dropped back into the midfield after Kamara’s injury and he enjoyed a solid game, keeping possession of the ball excellently.
Morgan Rogers struggles v Brentford
Morgan Rogers – 4
Morgan Rogers has been linked with an Aston Villa exit this summer, with both Tottenham and Chelsea interested. If the 23-year-old does leave, hopefully his new side won’t stick him out wide, where he is woefully ineffective when compared to the influence he can have in the centre of the park.
Ollie Watkins – 2
Lonely. Ollie Watkins cut an isolated figure for much of the game against his former club, snatching at chances when they came his way, a poor game from the England international.
Substitutes
Emi Buendia (on for Kamara 16′, off for Guessand 75′) – 5
Emi Buendia was brought on early in the first half, but had little impact before being replaced as Villa searched for an equaliser.
Ian Maatsen (on for Digne 64′) – 5
Added more directness to Villa’s attacks down the left-hand side but lacked any real cutting-edge with his final ball.
Donyell Malen (on for Onana 64′) – 4
Donyell Malen had 12 touches of the ball, and none of them were particularly noteworthy.
Evann Guessand (on for Buendia 75′) – 5
Evann Guessand made his debut for Villa, coming on to replace Buendia in the closing stages, but the Ivorian was unable to contribute to his side’s search for an equaliser.
Lamare Bogarde (on for McGinn 75′) – 6
The Dutchman added life to a limp Villa attack, but his contributions were not enough for his side to find the goal they needed.