Aston Villa 2‑2 Brentford: Ajer rescues point two minutes after McGinn strike

Kristoffer Ajer needed just two minutes to wipe out Aston Villa’s late lead and rescue a 2-2 draw for Brentford at Villa Park. John McGinn had put the hosts ahead in the 77th minute, but Ajer’s response preserved Brentford’s 10-match unbeaten run and left Aston Villa without a home league victory this season.

Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford | Yarmoliuk and Ajer net on the road! | Premier League Highlights

The opening goals came just as close together. Yehor Yarmoliuk struck in the 10th minute to give Brentford a 1-0 lead, only for Nicolas Jackson to level in the 12th. Aston Villa’s recovery meant the visitors enjoyed their advantage for barely any longer than the hosts would later hold theirs.

Jackson’s goal ensured Aston Villa reached the interval at 1-1. After two goals inside the opening 12 minutes, the score stayed unchanged until McGinn struck with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.

Johan Manzambi supplied the assist for McGinn’s goal, which put Aston Villa in front for the first time. Having conceded the opener and quickly recovered, the hosts had turned a deficit into a 2-1 advantage and given themselves a chance to end their winless home start.

That opportunity lasted only until the 79th minute. Jaidon Anthony assisted Ajer, whose equaliser brought Brentford back to 2-2 and completed the scoring. Both teams had taken a lead; both had conceded an equaliser two minutes later.

The late response also maintained Brentford’s scoring sequence. They have now found the net in each of their last 10 matches, with goals from Yarmoliuk and Ajer enough here to secure a point despite losing the advantage they established early on.

Aston Villa produced more attempts, finishing with 20 shots to Brentford’s 14. Seven of the hosts’ efforts were on target, compared with four for the visitors. Those totals gave Aston Villa a clear edge in shooting output, but not the extra goal required to win.

Possession was much closer: Aston Villa had 52% and Brentford 48%. Each side won two corners and was caught offside once. The hosts’ larger shot count was the most substantial attacking difference in the totals; the possession figures did not show a similarly large gap.

For Aston Villa, the frustration lay in conceding so soon after McGinn had supplied the breakthrough. Their seven attempts on target and two goals brought them within reach of victory, yet Ajer’s reply meant the late lead delivered only a draw.

Brentford committed 24 fouls to Aston Villa’s seven and received five yellow cards against the hosts’ two. Igor Thiago, Vitaly Janelt, Michael Kayode, Ajer and Callum Wilson were booked for the visitors, while Emiliano Buendía and Matty Cash received Aston Villa’s cautions.

Ajer’s booking came in the 84th minute, five minutes after his equaliser, for an argument. His decisive contribution remained the goal that prevented Brentford’s early lead from becoming a defeat and kept their unbeaten sequence going.

Aston Villa have scored in each of their last five matches, but their home league record stands at one draw and two defeats. This was their first home point of the season, rather than the first home win McGinn’s strike had briefly offered.

The draw also leaves the recent head-to-head record level. Across six meetings since August 2024, Aston Villa and Brentford have each won twice, with the other two matches ending in draws.

For the best moments and post-match discussion, Aston Villa Football Club’s official YouTube channel has published “VILLA 2-2 BRENTFORD || POST-MATCH LIVE || PRESENTED BY VISIT RWANDA”. The goals to revisit are Yarmoliuk’s opener in the 10th minute, Jackson’s equaliser in the 12th, McGinn’s strike in the 77th and Ajer’s reply in the 79th.

Aston Villa sit 14th with five points from six matches, two points clear of the relegation places; turning goals into home wins is their next task. Brentford are fourth with 10 points, occupying a Champions League league-phase place and standing five points behind leaders Manchester City. Their ability to answer McGinn’s late goal kept another defeat off their record.

Questions

Where does the draw leave Aston Villa and Brentford?

Aston Villa are 14th with five points from six matches, two points clear of the relegation places. Brentford are fourth with 10 points from six matches, five points behind leaders Manchester City.

How long is Brentford's unbeaten run?

Brentford are unbeaten in 10 matches. They have also scored in each of their last 10 matches.

Have Aston Villa won at home in the league this season?

No. Aston Villa's home league record is one draw and two defeats. The 2-2 draw with Brentford gave them their first home point of the season.