Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, 23 August 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Brentford secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at home, a result that might surprise some given their recent form. The Bees had been struggling, with a loss and a draw in their last two outings before this match, but they managed to break their streak with a solid performance. Dango Ouattara's early goal in the 12th minute proved to be the decisive moment, showcasing Brentford's ability to capitalise on limited opportunities. This win not only boosts their confidence but also propels them up the league table, demonstrating their resilience and tactical discipline.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance, especially after dominating possession throughout the game. Coming off a draw against Newcastle, they were expected to put up a stronger fight, but Brentford's defensive organisation and clinical finishing thwarted their efforts. The Villans had several chances but failed to convert, highlighting a need for more precision in front of goal. This loss is a setback for Aston Villa, who will need to regroup quickly to avoid slipping further down the standings.

The statistics from the match paint an interesting picture, with Aston Villa holding a significant 76% of the ball possession compared to Brentford's 24%. Despite this dominance, Brentford managed to secure the win, which suggests their efficiency in utilising their limited possession. Aston Villa's nine corners to Brentford's two further illustrate their control of the game, yet they couldn't translate this into goals. The successful dribbles percentage was higher for Brentford at 50% compared to Aston Villa's 30%, indicating that the Bees were more effective in breaking down the opposition's defence when they had the ball.

The key moment of the match came early when Dango Ouattara scored in the 12th minute, giving Brentford the lead they would hold onto until the final whistle. This goal set the tone for the game, forcing Aston Villa to chase the match from the outset. A VAR check in the 44th minute involving Mikkel Damsgaard added tension but ultimately did not change the scoreline. The game saw a total of five substitutions from each side, with Brentford's changes perhaps helping to maintain their defensive structure and see out the victory.

Yellow cards were handed out to both teams, with Brentford's Caoimhin Kelleher and Aston Villa's Amadou Onana and Lamar Bogarde receiving bookings. These moments of discipline added to the intensity of the match but did not significantly alter its course. Aston Villa's substitutions, including Emiliano Buendía and Donyell Malen, were attempts to inject fresh legs and creativity, but they were unable to break down Brentford's resolute defence.

Brentford lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and a backline of Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, and Keane Lewis-Potter. The midfield was anchored by Yegor Yarmolyuk and Jordan Henderson, with Dango Ouattara, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Kevin Schade supporting striker Igor Thiago. The lineup was largely expected, with no major surprises, but the impact of the substitutions was notable. Ogochukwu Onyeka Frank, Mathias Jensen, Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, and Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer came on to help maintain the team's shape and secure the win.

Aston Villa also opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emiliano Martínez between the posts and a defense consisting of Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne. The midfield duo of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana supported the attacking quartet of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, and Ollie Watkins. The lineup was as expected, but the substitutions made by manager Unai Emery were aimed at turning the game around. Emiliano Buendía, Ian Maatsen, Donyell Malen, Lamar Bogarde, and Evann Guessand were brought on, but despite their efforts, they couldn't find the equaliser.

Caoimhín Kelleher is Coral’s Man of the Match for his outstanding performance in goal for Brentford. With two crucial saves and zero goals conceded, Kelleher played a pivotal role in securing the victory. His one clearance and one punch further demonstrated his command of the area, ensuring that Aston Villa's numerous attacks were kept at bay. Kelleher's performance was a testament to his focus and skill, earning him well-deserved recognition.

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Aston Villa (H)

• Loss: 1-3 vs Nottingham Forest (A)

Recent Premier League Matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Brentford (A)

• Draw: 0-0 vs Newcastle United (H)

Sitting in 9th place with 3 points, Brentford will face AFC Bournemouth, who are in 8th with the same number of points, on August 26, 2025, at 18:45. This result against Aston Villa will boost their confidence as they prepare for a crucial match against a similarly positioned team. Brentford will look to build on their defensive solidity and clinical finishing to continue climbing the league table.

Aston Villa find themselves in 16th place with 1 point after this loss, and they will take on Crystal Palace, who are in 14th with 1 point, on August 29, 2025, at 19:00. This defeat will serve as a wake-up call for the team, who need to improve their finishing and defensive organisation. Aston Villa will be eager to bounce back and start climbing the standings in their upcoming fixture.

Game Week 2

• Fulham V Manchester United

• Everton V Brighton

• Newcastle V Liverpool

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