We Vill’ never stop competing
KEEP calm and carry on could be Aston
Villa’s motto right now.
Skipper John McGinn revealed that manager Unai Emery told them to do just that at half time after being dominated by Brentford.
And despite allowing Ivan Toney to score his 19th Premier League goal of the season, they eventually rescued a point through a late Douglas Luiz equaliser.
No-one should be surprised. Villa do not know when they are beaten under Emery. They have not failed to score in any of his 19 league games in charge.
And with Fulham at home tomorrow and European football still a realistic possibility, it’s all to play for at Villa Park these days.
Asked what Emery told the team at half time, McGinn said: “Stay calm and things will happen. We’ve been in this position before.
“After the goal we reacted well and could have nicked it at the end. It was a good last ten minutes for us. They make you fight.
Pushing
“When you go 1-0 behind it’s a really good point. We were pushing. We wanted to win. We have a big game on Tuesday to give ourselves the best chance of Europe.”
Villa missed a chance to set a new club record of six consecutive wins in the Premier League.
But they have still taken 23 points from the last 27 available, keeping six clean sheets in that run.
And the way they battled and scrapped to claw their way back into the game and escape with a draw here bodes well for their chances of a top-six finish.
Challenging for a Champions League spot may be beyond them but Villa are bang in the race for the Europa League.
And Emery seemed confident afterwards that World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez would be back to face Fulham tomorrow after coming off at half time.
Moments
Martinez was sick before the game but is expected to recover from a stomach virus to take his place between the sticks.
In his absence, understudy Robin Olsen had a couple of nervy moments. But Brentford failed to take advantage.
Kevin Schade missed an open goal after Olsen failed to hold on to his initial effort, and substitute Frank Onyeka also missed a great a chance to score.
Toney complained afterwards that
Brentford lack that killer instinct and need better game management.
But Bees boss Thomas Frank, whose side go to Chelsea on Wednesday, said: “I think that in general, not from Ivan, that is an emotional conclusion. I think in general we have done very well there throughout the season. I was proud of my team.”
BRENTFORD: Raya, Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Jensen (Dasilva 90), Norgaard (Onyeka 46), Janelt (Damsgaard 76), Mbeumo, Toney, Schade (Wissa 77). ASTON VILLA: Martinez (Olsen 46), Ashley Young (Chambers 66), Konsa, Mings, Alex Moreno (Digne 66), Douglas Luiz, Dendoncker (Traore 66), McGinn, Buendia, Ramsey, Watkins.
Referee: Michael Salisbury