Late goals from Alex Moreno and Ollie Watkins secured a dramatic late victory for Aston Villa at Brentford after Bees defender Ben Mee had been sent off 20 minutes from time.
Keane Lewis-Potter had opened the scoring for the hosts at Gtech Community Stadium but the game turned on its head after Mee was dismissed for flying into Leon Bailey in the 71st minute – referee David Coote upgrading to a red card after seeing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Moreno equalised in the 77th minute with Watkins completing the turnaround eight minutes later, before Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara was also shown a red card deep into stoppage time for violent conduct.
The victory kept Unai Emery’s high-flying side within a point of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Villa impressed in the early stages, Spanish full-back Moreno using his quick feet to test Mark Flekken before he sending another effort over the bar soon after.
The Bees failed to convert a golden opportunity of their own after eight minutes. Makeshift left-back Vitaly Janelt delivered a perfect cross to Mikkel Damsgaard, who had a free shot on goal, but the Dane’s effort fell kindly for Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.
The visitors were in the ascendancy and enjoyed dangerous counter-attacks through Jacob Ramsey and the pacy Watkins.
Ramsey fluffed the chance of the match so far in the 27th minute when Watkins nodded Ramsey through on goal, the midfielder scuffing his shot wide.
Brentford almost made Villa pay for their missed opportunities in the 39th minute when a first-time ball in behind Matty Cash unleashed Damsgaard who drove forward and produced a great cross, but striker Yoane Wissa was unable to tap home.
The hosts’ persistence was rewarded just before the interval, however. Saman Ghoddos whipped in a dangerous corner, with the alert Lewis-Potter eventually managing to strike the loose ball home.
Wissa’s effort was ruled out for offside shortly after the restart and Ramsey’s spectacular solo effort attempt was saved by the acrobatic Flekken.
Christian Norgaard was lucky to stay on the pitch early in the second half, yellow-carded for a studs-up challenge on John McGinn which avoided further sanction from VAR.
Thomas Frank’s men should have doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when, from a short corner, Damsgaard’s first-time cross caught Villa flat-footed, but Wissa’s header was kept out by Martinez.
The game swung in Villa’s favour when Mee launched himself into Bailey, connecting with the winger’s ankle rather than the ball.
Referee Coote initially showed the centre-back a yellow card but, after being sent to the pitchside monitor, overturned the decision and produced a straight red card for serious foul play.
Villa soon capitalised on the extra man, the tricky Bailey cutting in on his favoured left foot and floating a dangerous curled cross onto the head of Moreno at the back post.
And eight minutes later the visitors were ahead, Ramsey’s corner getting a fortunate flick-on and former Brentford striker Watkins heading home before celebrating in front of his old fans.
The celebration caused an on-pitch stir, with the referee brandishing yellow cards to Ezri Konsa and Ghoddos before Kamara was dismissed following a scuffle with Yehor Yarmoliuk.
Man Utd face setback as Martinez eyes move to Saudi ArabiaAston Villa star Emiliano Martinez is reportedly tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia as Manchester United's efforts to sign him stall.According to Clarin, cited by Sport Witness, the Argentine has received an offer from the Saudi Pro League, and with time passing, a move there is increasingly likely.0This development comes as the Red Devils&#...
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim talks with Alejandro Garnacho during the match vs Ipswich TownWith less than a month to go until the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, transfer market action for many teams including Manchester United should start to ramp up over the next two to three weeks.Marcus Rashford's protracted move elsewhere has finally been sealed with the England in...
Man Utd learn new price for Sesko after Arsenal drop out of race for talented strikerManchester United have learnt the new price for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko which is cheaper than expected.United manager Ruben Amorim is pushing for his side to sign a new centre-forward as he does not believe in Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee who were extremely inconsistent in front of goal last season. ...
Arsenal confirm the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from ValenciaArsenal have completed the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia on a five year deal.Mosquera has joined up with his new team-mates in Singapore as Arsenal continue their Asian tour and joins after starting 37 of the 38 league matches for the La Liga side last season. Mosquera had entered the final year of his contract a...
Gibbs-White joins Forest preseason despite having Tottenham move blockedMorgan Gibbs-White has linked up with his Nottingham Forest team-mates in Portugal for preseason despite ongoing transfer drama.The England international who was the subject of a 360M bid from Tottenham earlier this month as Spurs triggered his release clause which in any other circumstance would then move the deal along for b...
Man Utd told that Wakins is not for sale for any price by stubborn VillaManchester United have reportedly made fresh contact with Aston Villa over a potential swoop for Ollie Watkins which has been rejected by the club.The England international is viewed as an ideal fit for manager Ruben Amorim who is on the lookout for a striker this summer. United have also been linked with RB Leipzig’s Be...
Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is eager to join ChelseaAccording to Dutch sources, Ajax have rejected Chelsea's first offer for 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato and sent the London club a counteroffer.ESPN reported on Thursday that Ajax respect Jorrel Hato's desire to leave, but also wish to keep the young defender as the Amsterdam club head into their first UEFA Champions League campaign since 2022.A ...
Declan Rice Arsenal Liverpool Premier League 2025Arsenal star Declan Rice has opened up about the mental and physical toll he endured after England’s heartbreaking loss in the Euro 2024 final to Spain. Despite the crushing disappointment, Rice has now turned the page, declaring his intent to push his limits for both club and country over the next 12 months.WHAT HAPPENED?The 25-year-old midfi...
Liverpool FC v Southampton FC - Premier LeagueHarvey Elliott has once again hinted at a possible Liverpool exit after admitting next year's World Cup might force him to consider his future.WHAT HAPPENED?Elliott started just two Premier League games last season, and in June, he admitted he doesn't want to be "wasting years" at the club. Following the £116 million ($156m) summer arrival of Flor...
Cristhian Mosquera Arsenal 2025New Arsenal signing Cristian Mosquera has revealed what the club's fans can expect from him following his €20 million move from Valencia.WHAT HAPPENED?After a lengthy pursuit of the defender, Mosquera was finally unveiled as an Arsenal player on Thursday in a deal worth up to €20m (£17m/$23m). Now the young Spaniard has admitted he couldn't let this ...
- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 Liverpool ace Diaz agrees personal terms with Bayern Munich
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Diaz determined to leave for Bayern
- 8 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 9 'Man Utd are losing a great player!' - Paul Pogba reacts to Marcus Rashford's 'crazy' imminent transfer to Barcelona
- 10 Former Arsenal star Xhaka to reject Premier League return