Brentford and Aston Villa both suffered blows in their respective European ambitions in a 1-1 stalemate at the Brentford Community Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon.
Aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, Brentford flew out of the blocks right from kick off, but it was Emiliano Buendia who produced the first effort of the game in the second minute when he went on a mazy run before testing David Raya with the outside of his boot.
Down the other end, Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney linked up for Brentford's first shot of the contest, which was comfortably dealt with by Emiliano Martinez.
Buoyed by their opening attempt, the Bees grew into the game and came so close to breaking the deadlock but for an excellent last-ditch intervention from Alex Moreno with Mbeumo ready to tap home from point-blank range.
Having failed to make his mark on the game up to that point, Toney called Martinez into action 10 minutes from the break with a close-range strike following some good work from Kevin Schade.
That concluded the first half in West London, with both teams heading into the locker room with all to play for.
The second half kicked off in similar fashion to the first as Brentford showed great intent right from kick off.
A constant menace down the left for Thomas Frank's men, Schade came within inches of his first Brentford goal, dragging his shot wide from close quarters.
Brentford kept up the pressure and deservingly took the lead in the 65th minute when Mbeumo's inviting delivery was tapped home at the back post by Toney.
Villa boss Unai Emery could not have asked for a better response to going behind as his side upped the ante heading into the final 20 minutes of the clash.
After a sustained period of pressure, Villa were back on level terms two minutes from time through Douglas Luiz, who finished from barely six yards out having been teed up by Buendia.
Buoyed by his leveller, Luiz unleashed a long-range strike shortly afterwards but failed to work Raya in the Brentford goal.
Off the back of a relatively quiet outing, Ollie Watkins so nearly grabbed the winner right at the end, only for his header to sail harmlessly over the bar.
That proved to be the final meaningful action of the game as Brentford and Villa settled for a share of the spoils which leaves the former 10th in the Premier League table, while the latter remain sixth, five points adrift of the last Champions League spot.
Adepoju Marvellous
