BEES KNEES
Frank’s boys are looking the real deal
DEAN SMITH was not quite given a lesson from his old apprentice but Thomas Frank is quickly learning enough to suggest Brentford can continue to create a buzz in the Premier League.
It’s now five points from their first unbeaten three games and just one goal conceded for the Bees, leaving them inside the early top 10.
A first goal in the top flight for Ivan Toney – after 125 scored elsewhere – gave Frank’s side hope of a second win in three matches, but Emiliano Buendia’s sweetly struck equaliser for Villa was deserved.
Those goals came in an uplifting, pulsating opening 20 minutes before the contest drifted amid a flurry of yellow cards and disruptions.
Villa boss Smith sent on Ollie Watkins late on to try and win it against his old club and the striker forced David Raya into two saves, but a goal then would have been unjust on Brentford who have lost just once in their last 18 games.
When Smith was Brentford manager, he hired Frank as an assistant – a shrewd move that showed Smith was unafraid to spot talent where others might have viewed only a sizeable personal threat.
“It was great to see Dean again and we will celebrate as old friends with a Covid-safe beer on the side of the pitch later,” said Frank.
“I am very pleased with the way we approached the game and slightly disappointed that we didn’t come away with a win.
“I like what my team are showing me and I think there is a lot more to come.”
Injuries and Covid positives meant Smith was forced into giving 17-yearold Carney Chukwuemeka a debut and he was also without captain Tyrone Mings, who the manager revealed has a cracked rib.
Villa were always a threat going forward and on another day the probing influence of Anwar El Ghazi might have given Danny Ings a third goal in successive games.
But as it is, there is a creative Grealish-sized hole that the talented £33m Buendia still has to prove he can fill. “The pandemic has taught us we have to be ready for change and that applied today,” said Smith.
“It was fairly even, but I thought we had more tempo in the second half and were the main aggressors.
“It was a really good finish for our goal by Emiliano. That is why we bought him and he showed what he can do.”
Anyone in doubt over how comfortably Brentford appear to have settled in should have been convinced here.
They silenced the Holte End by taking the lead in the sevjack enth minute with a goal full of confidence scored by Toney.
A corner was only half cleared, Sergi Canos clipped a ball into Pontus Jansson he touched on and Toney blasted the ball home from 12 yards.
Villa’s reponse was quick. Buendia curling the ball past Raya six minutes later after Ings and El Ghazi combined to create the space.
The second-half was frenetic but fragmented and only Watkins’ late efforts and some muscle from Toney for the Bees looked as if it might provide a winner.
It was great to see Dean again and we will celebrate as old friends with a Covidsafe beer later. I’m also pleased with my team