Aston Villa now find themselves outside of the Championship play-off places after a 2-1 defeat at Brentford meant their winless streak has no extended to five matches.
When Josh Onomah’s header cancelled out Romaine Swayers’ goal for the home side, Villa fans were hopeful that a turnaround was on the cards but Lasse Vibe took advantage of some poor defending to put Brentford in front early in the second half and the visitors were unable to respond.
Here’s how the Villa players rated:
Sam Johnstone - 6
Couldn’t really do much about either goal, but he was lucky to get away with a flap at a ball he should have easily dealt with.
Neil Taylor - 4
Should have gotten closer to Sawyers to prevent him shooting on goal. His attacking play wasn’t up to much either.
James Chester - 6
Looked pretty solid throughout, even as others around him struggled.
Tommy Elphick - 3
Made a vital block early on that prevented a goal but then he seemed to fall apart! Too many errors, not good enough.
Alan Hutton - 5
Was ever-willing to get forward but he was unable to create any real danger. Dealt with Sergi Canos pretty well.
Albert Adomah - 6
Looked pretty good until an early kick in a rather delicate area meant he had to be taken off!
Glenn Whelan - 4
Gave the ball away too easily in the build-up to Brentford’s opener. Didn’t really seem to do too much before he was taken off.
Mile Jedinak - 6
One of Villa’s better players. Kept things ticking over and was very neat and tidy.
Jack Grealish - 5
Started really poorly but grew into the game. Put in a few decent crosses but nobody was able to get on the end of them.
Robert Snodgrass - 4
His set-pieces were terrible, unless his aim was to hit them at the wall or the first man!
Could have had a goal had he gambled to get on the end of a Grealish cross, but he did do well in the build-up to the Villa goal.
Scott Hogan - 7
Probably Villa’s Man of the Match, especially in the first half. Set up the goal and a very marginal offside call prevented another.
(Sub) Josh Onomah
A mixed bag to say the least. Did well to get on the end of Hogan’s cross and his header was excellent. However, his collision with Elphick gifted the home side the winning goal.