Aston Villa vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Aston Villa FC 3 - 3 Brentford FC
Aston Villa vs Brentford
17:08
Following a frantic second half, the spoils are ultimately shared at Villa Park, where it ends 3-3 between Aston Villa and a brave Brentford side that almost turned zero points into three. When Rogers added to Watkins' first-half opener just moments after the interval, it seemed that Villa would cruise on towards victory and a first league double over the Bees for 77 years. Frank's men had other ideas, though, and strikes from Jorgensen, Mbeumo and Wissa over the course of 10 minutes incredibly put them 3-2 ahead. Watkins was not finished, however, and the England striker's late header against his old club secured a point towards Villa's pursuit of a Champions League place. Having just edged a little closer to retaining their Premier League status, Brentford will host fellow strugglers Sheffield United next week, while the Villans meet Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals before tackling Arsenal three days later. That's all from out live coverage at Villa Park today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:58
FULL-TIME: ASTON VILLA 3-3 BRENTFORD
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:57
After a couple of wayward crosses, Alex Moreno's long throw-in is cleared away by Brentford's massed defence, before Roerslev buys a valuable free-kick. That will eat up some more time.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:57
Yellow Card Douglas Luiz Soares de Paulo
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:55
In the third minute of at least seven added for stoppages, Aston Villa are on the front foot, and Alex Moreno's persistence earns the home side another corner-kick. Can Brentford withstand this pressure and preserve a precious point?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:52
MISS! Tielemans tests Flekken with a low ball across the box, which has to be turned behind for an Aston Villa corner. Following the set-piece, Konsa heads the ball into Digne's path, and the French full-back volleys it wide of the target!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:51
Toney can't quite sort his feet out and the ball trickles agonisingly towards Martinez, as Brentford's attack falters. This game is hanging in the balance now - it could go either way.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:50
Substitution Youri Marion A. Tielemans Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:50
Substitution Leon Patrick Bailey Butler Moussa Diaby
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:50
Substitution Lucas Digne Alexandre Moreno Lopera
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:46
Villa are penning their visitors in now, as they seek another late winner against Brentford. Can Watkins complete a hat-trick against his old club, to snatch maximum points? Or perhaps the Bees have one more sting left in them?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:45
Substitution Bryan Tetsadong Marceau Mbeumo Neal Maupay
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:43
Yellow Card Diego Carlos Santos Silva
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:42
Substitution Mikkel Krogh Damsgaard Ivan Benjamin Elijah Toney
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:42
Pau Torres cuts out a telegraphed ball from Mbeumo in Villa's box, then the hosts sprint forward on the break. However, the move becomes bogged down in neat passing, as Brentford recover their shape.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:40
Substitution Yoane Wissa Bileko Yehor Yarmoliuk
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:40
Goal Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:38
Due to Aston Villa's high line, Damsgaard is caught offside from a free-kick. There is a pensive look to Unai Emery at the moment, as his team are unable to sustain any pressure on the Bees' area.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:36
Wissa now contributes on defensive duty, heading away a dangerous corner-kick at the back post. Brentford's momentum has been quelled for now, but it remains to be seen whether they can preserve this advantage until full-time.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:35
Substitution Sergio Reguilón Rodríguez Keane William Lewis-Potter
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:34
Once again, the team scoring first in this match-up seems set to fail in their attempts to finish the job. This time, Aston Villa have let a lead slip, and Brentford have apparently risen from the dead. With plenty of minutes remaining, are there to be any more twists and turns?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:28
Substitution Morgan Elliot Rogers Nicolò Zaniolo
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:27
Goal Yoane Wissa Bileko
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:27
After one rather chaotic scene following a corner, Mbeumo delivers another, which Martinez just manages to palm away at his near post. The Bees are swarming over their hosts now, and Villa are just hanging on.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:26
With a deflected shot that clips the top of Villa's defensive wall, Damsgaard's 20-yard free-kick results in a corner. Brentford are certainly enjoying their best spell of the game now.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:25
With his first goal since December, having been injured for several weeks, Mbeumo now leads on his own at the top of Brentford's scoring charts. That's his eighth Premier League strike of the season - and what a crucial one!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:21
Assist Sergio Reguilón Rodríguez
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:20
Goal Bryan Tetsadong Marceau Mbeumo
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:18
Assist Mikkel Krogh Damsgaard
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:17
After jinking inside and letting fly with a well-struck shot, Bailey sees his effort blocked at close range by Collins, and Brentford then clear their lines. Though far from fluent, with two goals behind them Villa are increasingly confident in the final third.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:15
Janelt miscues his pass back to Flekken and concedes a corner-kick. McGinn takes it from the right; Flekken then manages to turn it away from danger with an outstretched fist.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:13
As McGinn strides forward from midfield, Wissa comes in with an ill-timed tackle and then receives a yellow card from the referee.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:13
Pau Torres is penalised for a clear trip on Mbeumo, and he's fortunate not to receive a booking for that rather cynical challenge. That'll be a free-kick for Brentford out on the right touchline.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:11
Villa fly forward again, and after Bailey drives to the right byline, his low cutback gives Flekken plenty of problems before the goalkeeper finally smothers the ball at his near post.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:10
The home fans are buoyant, as their side seem to have landed a killer blow so soon after the interval. Is there any way back for Brentford now?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:05
Assist Youri Marion A. Tielemans
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:05
Aston Villa kick off, and we are back under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
16:01
While Brentford have lost seven times from nine when behind at half-time this season, Aston Villa have a record of 13 wins from 14 when ahead at the break. That suggests a dramatic turnaround is unlikely for the Bees, who need points to edge further away from relegation trouble. Perhaps Toney will be introduced sooner rather than later.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:55
A rather tepid first half ends with Aston Villa 1-0 in front, thanks to a headed goal from their main marksman, Watkins, who again finds the net against his former club. Having produced the late winner in this season's reverse fixture, the England striker guided home McGinn's cross, breaking the deadlock with Villa's first attempt on target. Brentford have remained compact and looked to use the pace and guile of Wissa and Mbeumo on the counter, and they can count themselves unlucky to be trailing at the break. The hosts have now stopped their opponents from scoring a first-half goal in 20 of their 32 games this season, and no team has done so more often in this season's Premier League - can they finish the job after the interval, putting pressure back on fellow top-four contenders Tottenham?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:51
HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-0 BRENTFORD
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:50
Aston Villa's third corner-kick in short succession is easily plucked out of the air by Flekken, who then sets off a quick counter-attack; however, it is controversially halted by the half-time whistle.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:47
In the first of at least two minutes of first-half stoppage time, Villa's latest corner - this time from the left - results in plenty more grappling between Diego Carlos and company. That's something to keep an eye on as the game progresses.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:46
Martinez easily claims a hopeful ball intop the box by Brentford, then quickly unloads it upfield. That sets Villa on the front foot, as they seek to increase their one-goal advantage before the break.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:44
Yellow Card Mikkel Krogh Damsgaard
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:43
The team scoring first has won just one of the five previous Premier League meetings between Aston Villa and Brentford, with the Villans winning 4-0 in this fixture last season. Will that trend continue today?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:40
Assist John McGinn
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:40
Digne loops a back-pass towards Martinez from inside his own half, and it's caught in the strong wind. The goalkeeper deals with it fairly comfortably, though, and Villa build again from the back.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:38
Half-time is approaching and still we await a first shot on target from either side. It's fairly tame stuff at Villa Park so far.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:37
Digne delivers another corner-kick from the right, with Diego Carlos trying to impose some pressure on Flekken. However, the Brazilian ends up in a wrestling match with Jorgensen - making his 100th Premier League appearance today - and concedes a free-kick.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:35
Aston Villa have scored 37 goals at Villa Park in the Premier League this season - their most in the top flight since the 1982-83 campaign - but they've barely threatened at all so far today. Can they find a spark before half-time?
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:34
Ajer clearly upends Watkins just outside the penalty area, and Villa have a free-kick in an enticing position. After a long build-up, Digne delays too long and sees his shot charged down by a defender breaking quickly from Brentford's wall. What a waste!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:30
Reguilon's teasing cross from the left touchline just beats several players inside the area, as the Bees raid forward on the break once again. They've certainly shown a willingness to counter-attack, and it's proved relatively effective so far.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:28
SAVE! Somehow, Flekken scrambles the ball away from his goal-line! Digne swings over a corner from the right, which Pau Torres can't quite meet at the near post, and the ball almost drifts past Brentford's goalkeeper! He got away with that one!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:27
We are yet to see a shot on target at Villa Park, with the home side still searching for their first goal attempt of any description. Another run from Bailey wins Villa's second corner on the right, though.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:25
It's so far, so good for Brentford. Frank's men are following their game plan to a tee, as they continue to sit deep and look to counter when possible. One such chance arises from nothing, but Diego Carlos quickly closes the door on Wissa just inside Villa's area.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:23
Konsa calls for calm, as Villa's dominance of the ball continues. The hosts' build-up is lacking both rhythm and tempo, which is perhaps understandable after six changes were made to the starting lineup that featured on Wednesday.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:22
Set-piece specialist Douglas Luiz again fails to hit his usual standards, with a free-kick taken midway through Brentford's half sailing straight through to Flekken. The strong winds sweeping across Birmingham probably played a part, but that was not a great effort.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:19
Wissa tries to slip off Konsa's shoulder just outside Villa's area, but he just catches his opponent on the heels and the whistle immediately blows for a free-kick. He would've been clean through on goal, but there was clear contact.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:17
The hosts have had a 68 per cent share of the ball so far, but they've barely threatened Brentford's area, which is being well defended by two deep-lying lines. All 11 men are within 30 yards of each other, as the Bees stay compact.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:15
Collins cuts out Bailey's low throughball, then the Jamaican winger regains possession on the right and wins his team a corner. Flekken comes off his line to claim the subsequent set-piece delivery, despite taking a knock from Diego Carlos.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:13
Crossed wires between Digne and Rogers result in the latter passing straight over the byline when Villa had flooded Brentford's box. The home side are slowly finding their rhythm, while the Bees look happy to sit back and soak up pressure.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:11
Douglas Luiz attempts to flip a ball over the top to feed McGinn, who had broken from midfield, but his pass is caught by the strong wind and sails straight out of play for a Brentford goal-kick. Incidentally, no player has been directly involved in more goals at Villa Park this season than the Brazilian, who has recorded nine goals and six assists.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:09
CLOSE! With a curling free-kick from the right side of the area, Mbeumo clips the side-netting! He sent Martinez scrambling across his goal at some speed, but that effort was marginally off-target.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:06
Brentford have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League matches against sides starting the day inside the top five of the table, including all eight this season. Now would be a great time to end that trend, as perhaps one more win would essentially secure safety for the London club.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:04
After Reguilon breaks into the box from the left, Bailey lunges in to stop him striking cleanly at goal, and after spending a moment or two down on the turf, Brentford's Spanish wing-back recovers.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:03
Brentford kick off, and we are under way in Birmingham!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
15:00
The players are out on the pitch at a very blustery Villa Park, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:58
Brentford make three changes to the team that held Brighton in midweek, as star striker Toney is dropped to the bench. Mbeumo replaces the England international up front, while Damsgaard and Reguilon come in for Yarmoliuk and Lewis-Potter. Like their hosts, the Bees also have a long injury list, which features Rico Henry, Ben Mee, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade and Christian Norgaard.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:53
Top scorer Watkins and first-choice goalkeeper Martinez are fit enough to start for Aston Villa today, after both missed out in Manchester. Captain McGinn returns from suspension, but the home side are still without the services of Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Buendia, Matty Cash and Jacob Ramsey. Unai Emery makes six changes in all, also bringing in Bailey, Tielemans and Pau Torres.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:53
SUBS: Thomas Strakosha, Neal Maupay, Saman Ghoddos, Frank Onyeka, Ivan Toney, Keane Lewis-Potter, Shandon Baptiste, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Kim Ji-Soo.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:48
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Mark Flekken; Mathias Jorgensen, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins; Mads Roerslev, Mikkel Damsgaard, Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Sergio Reguilon; Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:44
SUBS: Robin Olsen, Alex Moreno, Calum Chambers, Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, Jhon Duran, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam, Omari Kellyman.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:44
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, Douglas Luiz; Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:37
Still not safe from relegation, Brentford hover six points above the drop zone after Wednesday's 0-0 home draw against Brighton. That stalemate extends their worrying winless streak to eight matches, and Thomas Frank's side have also lost nine of their last 10 away games in the Premier League. Precedent is not on their side today either, as the Bees have never won a league fixture at Villa Park, drawing five and losing three of their previous visits.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:37
Having stumbled in their pursuit of a Champions League place, losing 4-1 away to Manchester City in midweek, Aston Villa are now aiming to extend their two-point lead over Tottenham, who have one game in hand. Since a 15-match winning run at Villa Park finally ended in December, Unai Emery's men have won only three of seven Premier League home fixtures - though their recent 2-0 defeat of Wolves halted a streak of six without a clean sheet. Villa have come out on top in two of their last three league meetings with Brentford - including a late comeback in December's reverse fixture - having been winless in eight beforehand.
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:33
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Brentford at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Brentford
14:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
