Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said he was “sad” after his side drew 2-2 with Brentford at Villa Park.
Yehor Yarmoliuk opened the scoring for Brentford in the 10th minute but it was cancelled out when Nicolas Jackson equalised with his second goal in as many games less than 90 seconds later.
John McGinn put Villa in front in the second half but it was Brentford’s turn to quickly bounce back as Kristoffer Ajer scored his first league goal since March 2024 to make sure both sides took home a point.
Villa picked up their first point in front of their own fans this season but Emery was disappointed with the result.
He said: “To draw at home is not a good result. Thinking on our result today, we are sad.
“We were expecting the match like they played, a tough match. We were expecting to try and dominate the ball more than we did.
“We had enough chances to score, we scored two goals even though we created more.
“I think we improved. The last time we played at home against Nottingham [Forest] and Arsenal but defensively we conceded more than we expected.
“They scored two goals, had chances as well and threatened us. The result is maybe fair, the draw, and for this we are not happy, we are sad.
“But I am optimistic because we improved things. After the match against Nottingham, some players are adapting to us and getting minutes.”
Villa lost England international Ezri Konsa to Arsenal this summer which served as a huge blow to their defence.
Emery’s side have only managed to keep one Premier League clean sheet so far this campaign and have already conceded 11 goals.
Emery added: “We are going to need time with some players but it is something we know and we must be passionate.
“In football, the passion and the process must be as fast as possible but understanding for some situations we have to work hard and use each match to improve.”
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Aston Villa are redeveloping the North Stand this season which means it is empty.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews says having a stand missing “feels wrong” but was disappointed his side could not get all three points.
He said: “I certainly hated it as a player. It just feels wrong doesn’t it? I don’t know what it is, I have a little bit of OCD so maybe it’s that because if there’s a whole stand missing it doesn’t sit well with me.
“But naturally it does not generate the atmosphere but I love coming here, it is a special place to come. With the stand missing it is a bit different.
“Could’ve won it, could’ve lost it. Tad disappointed we couldn’t take advantage of some situations in the last 10 or 15 minutes coming on strong.
“To come away to a club playing the Champions League, to be a tad disappointed probably shows where we are at.”
