Brentford went down 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday in one of those games where the scoreline alone fails to scratch the surface of what went on.
An incident packed afternoon will be remembered as much for the sh*thousery, the scuffles, the profligacy of cards, the VAR errors and the complete loss of control from the officials as it will the result. Which is a colossal shame for Thomas Frank and his threadbare squad who, up until the 70th minute, more than matched these pretenders for the Premier League crown.
1-0 up c/o of Keane Lewis-Potter’s first top flight goal just before half-time, there were chances to go further ahead as we matched our illustrious opponents stride for stride.
Then, VAR intervened to upgrade a yellow card shown to Ben Mee to a red and the extra man really told. Left 20 minutes to preserve the lead, Brentford’s amazingly disciplined defensive structure finally got overstretched. The ten men were unable to resist the flowing waves of Villa pressure any further as three points became one became none.
First, Leon Bailey found Alex Moreno completely unmarked on the right and he headed home on 77. It was a bitter blow for Brentford who had already seen those opportunities for another goal – primarily Damsgaard in the first half and a Wissa header that Emi Martinez did well to push wide – pass by.
That’s football. What promised to then be a backs-to-the-wall final phase saw defences breached again on 85 when who else but Ollie Watkins was there to pounce? Cue uproar as he went charging in to the net to give it large to one Bees fan who had been heckling him all game.
Boo-hoo. Poor Ollie. The naughty man said he was rubbish. Scuffles ensued with Saman Ghoddos first up and then just about everybody piling in.
It was totally unnecessary from a player who had been a hero to so many here for so long. Even since leaving the Bees to join Dean Smith at Villa Park.
He said afterwards that he wanted to prove a point after the cat calling – which, from what I gather, was nothing more than one fan’s suggestion that he’s an inferior version of Ivan Toney. Fair enough, if that’s where you get your kicks rather than proving the point by scoring, but now past reputation is tarnished.
A moment of James Maddison style celebration has seen Ollie enter a hall of infamy that includes Martin Rowlands and Harlee ‘ten times better’ Dean.
Brentford did everything possible to level things up and were almost gifted what would have been a comical equaliser from Villa’s Leon Bailey late on. His long range backpass came hilariously close to eluding Martinez and sliding inside the post. So near but so far from what would have been the most wonderful way to wipe the smirk off the Villa.
Instead, we were left with more scenes of mayhem. Neal Maupay, who had already been denied a stonewall penalty after being ploughed through by Ezri Konsa when racing clear in the box, made contact with Martinez.
The Argentinian went down like he he’d been shot, trashing around like a fish out of water. Moments later, the pair were at it again. This time, Maupay the one going to ground after being caught and the Villa ‘keeper grabbing him by the shirt to try and drag him to his feet.
Martinez was lucky to only see yellow (one of the 11 shown in that final twenty minute phase, including each manager) although the moment led to further ill temper. Boubacar Kamara shoving Yehor Yarmoliuk in the face during the subsequent melee and also being shown red.
It was an end to the game that pretty much summed up the second half. The officials losing control. Villa allowed to get away with mayhem until it was way too late in the game. The referee’s assistant in front of us in the South Stand oblivious to anything – whether Unai Emery roaming up and down the touchline at will or any transgression on the pitch.
Mr Coote in the middle and Craig Pawson on VAR not so much losing the plot as throwing away the map. As my guest for the day called it, “This is Ray Biggar mk ii”.
Unrest on the pitch. Unrest in the stands. Villa looking like a wonderful team but the game soured as much by their antics as the impotence of the officials. Brentford giving it their all but ultimately ending it empty handed and will now be stretched even thinner with Ben Mee suspended.
Ten out of ten for effort and endeavour, Brentford. A game The Bees could have won but ended up feeling as though they’d been mugged. Instead, we can only put this one to bed and be thankful that Manchester City’s involvement in the World Club Championship allows us plenty of recovery time. Not to mention the chance to eventually face them with Ivan Toney and Ben Mee back in the team – any transfer business not withstanding.
Until then, let’s look at the top five. The ongoing quest to find our overall player of the season with five points being awarded for every ‘star player’ award, four for second place, three for third etc and then the totals counted up over the course of the 38 games.
Whilst there was a brief hiatus in the awarding of points last time out, this time around we are spoiled for candidates despite the result. So many have run it so close but in the end my selection is…
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 17 (vs Aston Villa)
1st (5 points) – Saman Ghoddos
The ongoing absence of Matthias Jensen saw Vitaly once again pushed in to midfield and Saman carrying the mantle of fourth choice left back. He was anything but an inferior replacement.
Tackling and blocking as though it were the most comfortable thing in the world. Marauding up the flank. Dead ball delivery that provided the assist for our goal. Leading the charge when Ollie did ‘that’ thing.
He was here, there and everywhere. The Iranian Messi playing out of his skin, once again. Whomever thought to get him back in after his contract expired last season deserves a payrise. As does Saman himself.
2nd (4 points) – Christian Norgaard
Being honest, this one was tight. Take nothing away from Saman who deserves his spot but Christian was breathing down his neck.
At one point he might have seen red early in the second half – VAR actually getting something right when there was suggestion he could have gone in high.
Yet if anything, this summed up his approach to the game. Binding the team together. The pivot in the centre through which none shall pass. Looking to direct the play and start things rolling when The Bees began to press with a colossal 46 passes made (in comparison Zanka 28 and Saman 27 were next closest). Only Saman getting ahead of him in the tackle count.
The captain leading by example. Again.
3rd (3 points) – Mikkel Damsgaard
Could we finally be seeing Mikkel live up to the reputation he joined Brentford with? He got on our board against Brighton and was one of the ‘better’ players last time out at Sheffield United. This game saw another great performance.
Like so many of his team mates, he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in on the tackling to close out Villa. Yet it was his drive forwards where he really impressed. With KLP sitting higher up the pitch alongside Wissa, there was more onus on Mikkel to dictate the play. He didn’t disappoint and may even have had an early goal had he picked his spot better.
Overall though, a really strong performance.
4th (2 points) – Keane Lewis-Potter
Took his goal quite beautifully. The touch and control was lightning quick before firing through a crowd to perfection. You could see what this meant as ran across to celebrate with Saman.
He had other chances, too. One beautifully timed run in the second half – in a game where opportunities were at a premium – almost saw him one on one with Martinez. Alas, the ball didn’t quite fall and was cleared by a covering defender.
Yet it was as much the positives he showed playing that bit higher up which suggested that Thomas Frank still has more options in the team despite ever decreasing numbers.
With Bryan Mbeumo confirmed as out for 12 weeks, this was performance that will have done KLP’s confidence or selection potential no harm at all.
5th (1 point) – Ethan Pinnock
Another masterclass at the back from Ethan. He’s ‘only’ fifth this time around but that’s not to diminish anything he did.
Pulled off one stunning early block and just carried on doing what he does from that point onwards. With Villa pushing for the early goal, it was that central trio who mopped up anything that came their way.
Perhaps Zanka can feel a touch hard done by in missing out on the top five but it was Ethan who once again dominated the back line and deserves his place on the board.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 17)
All of which means that Ethan edges further ahead in the top five but with Bryan now out for the best part of three months, and Saman Ghoddos storming up the blindside on 13, anything could change in the coming weeks…
1st – Ethan Pinnock (35 points)
2nd – Bryan Mbeumo (31 points)
3rd – Christian Norgaard (29 points)
4th – Mathias Jensen (21 points)
5th – Nathan Collins (18 points)
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