Football Review | Brentford 1 - 0 Aston Villa

Ouattara strikes on debut as Brentford edge past Villa

Record signing delivers decisive goal to give Keith Andrews first home win as Bees head coach

Author | Craig H

Stadium | Gtech Community Stadium

Dango Ouattara announced himself in style as Brentford secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

The Burkina Faso forward, a £42.5m signing from Bournemouth, settled the contest in the 12th minute, showing composure to finish at the second attempt after Emiliano Martinez had parried his initial strike.

It was a landmark evening too for Keith Andrews, who replaced Thomas Frank this summer and marked his first home league game in charge with three points at the Gtech Community Stadium.

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Brentford’s goal came from direct football, as Caoimhin Kelleher launched a long clearance which Igor Thiago flicked on for Ouattara to chase. After his first shot was blocked by Martinez, he reacted sharply to roll the rebound into the net.

The Bees thought they had doubled their lead before half-time when Mikkel Damsgaard volleyed in from a Michael Kayode throw, but the effort was chalked off after VAR ruled Nathan Collins had fouled Martinez.

Villa improved after the interval but were repeatedly frustrated by Kelleher, who stood firm to preserve Brentford’s slender advantage.

Fan analysis | Manager changes make the difference 

After a summer of departures and a sobering defeat at Nottingham Forest, Brentford supporters might have feared another difficult afternoon.

Keith Andrews responded with four changes against Aston Villa and each of those brought in played their part.

New signing Dango Ouattara struck the decisive goal, a chance that might just as easily have fallen to Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa, and the forward was central to Brentford’s energetic opening burst.