Vibe hits winner as Bees sink Villa

Brentford 2 Aston Villa 1

Lasse Vibe swept home the winner as Brentford deservedly took the Boxing Day spoils at Griffin Park.

Romaine Sawyers put the Bees ahead midway through the first half but it was cancelled out by Villa’s on-loan Tottenham midfielder Josh Onomah.

Vibe pounced on some dire defending from a corner to put Brentford back in front after the break.

Sergi Canos then hit the bar while Dean Smith’s side soaked up some late pressure to humble Villa for the second season running.

Brentford’s energy and pace unsettled the visitors, who were also masters of their own downfall.

When Glenn Whelan’s loose pass was collected by Ryan Woods, he found Sawyers, who drilled low beyond Villa’s on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Villa showed their quality only in patches, and their best move of the match produced their equaliser as former Brentford striker Scott Hogan crossed for Onomah to head in.

The Bees began the second half on the front foot, with Canos’ deflected shot spinning towards goal before being hacked away – but it did not take the home side long to capitalise on Villa’s ponderous defending, with Vibe turning the ball home after Onomah had made a mess of a clearance.

Canos then forced a save and hit the crossbar, but Villa did respond late in the game, with Bees keeper Daniel Bentley denying Keinan Davis and then dropping on a loose ball before it could cross the line.

Brentford: Bentley; Yennaris, Mepham, Bjelland, Barbet; McEachran (Mokotjo 69), Woods; Jozefzoon, Sawyers, Canos; Vibe (Maupay 82).
Subs not used: Daniels, Chatzitheodoridis, Sorensen, Macleod, Judge.