Brentford 1 Aston Villa 0 - Report

Closing in on a draw which, while not propelling them closer to the top six, would at least have ensured they lost no more ground, Dean Smith’s men were undone by Neal Maupay’s stoppage time strike.

It ensured a miserable return to Griffin Park for Smith, who had masterminded the home side’s victories over his boyhood club in each of the past two seasons.

This time he was on the receiving end, after watching his team defend with doggedness and determination for 90 minutes, only to be undone at the death.

Brentford, in truth, were deserved winners, having dominated proceedings for large periods.

Villa, however, were left to rue two golden missed opportunities, from Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane, which might have seen them escape with a precious victory.

Yet once more, the crucial moments failed to go in their favour, meaning they head into Saturday’s derby with Albion seven points behind the play-off positions. That game now has the look of a must-win fixture.

Of the three changes to Villa’s starting line-up from the team which drew 3-3 against Sheffield United last Friday, the inclusion of Hause, for a first league start since May 2017, was by far the most notable.

The Wolves loanee replaced Neil Taylor at left-back, with the Wales international dropping out of the squad entirely.

Adomah and Glenn Whelan were the other players drafted in, both Jonathan Kodjia and Mile Jedinak making way.

Villa’s bench, meanwhile, included 17-year-old midfielder Jacob Ramsey for the first time.

Brentford had won their previous game and began the game with understandable confidence, pinning the visitors back from the first whistle.

Villa goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic was forced into his first save inside three minutes, tipping over a dipping Sergi Canos volley, after Tommy Elphick had moments earlier used his head to block a fierce Said Benrahma drive.

For the first 25 minutes, at least, it was the hosts asking all the questions. By and large, Villa’s much-maligned defence was able to come up with the answers.

Alan Hutton was alert to clear the danger to beat Maupay to Canos’s attempted through ball, while Elphick in particular made a number of important clearances and interceptions.

On the one occasion Villa were truly caught out, just past the half-hour mark, Benrahma was only able to fire wide of the post on the turn, after Elphick had unintentionally deflected a Canos cross into his path.

Where the visitors most frustrated was their lack of composure in possession, with good positions frequently wasted by poor decisions and touches.

Yet they were still able to create work for home keeper David Bentley, courtesy of a well-struck Anwar El Ghazi drive, which was pushed round the post.

Then, three minutes before the break, Villa proceeded to carve out the opening half’s best chance when an Abraham lay-off set Adomah racing into the box.

But the winger, whose goal drought has now passed the 11-month mark, pulled his finish wide of the far post.

It was a huge chance wasted, though the hosts would squander one of their own early in the second period through the normally dependable Maupay.

Canos robbed El Ghazi in Villa’s half and wasted no time in finding his team-mate just inside the box.

The French striker took a touch but with just Kalinic to beat sliced his finish well wide of the post.

Having escaped once, Villa were soon living dangerously again when Ollie Watkins drew a smart stop from Kalinic with a powerful drive, while referee Gavin Ward waved away home appeals for a penalty when Sawyers tumbled in the ensuing scramble.

There was a definite backs-to-the-wall feel for Villa at that point but then, midway through the half, they carved out another great chance from nowhere.

A quick break saw substitute Ahmed Elmohamady pick out Hourihane. The Republic of Ireland international had just Bentley to beat but saw his shot deflected over the bar by the keeper’s legs.

Into the final 20 minutes, the game began to open up, something which suited the hosts more than Villa.

The lively Benrahma saw a free-kick well held by a diving Kalinic, before a minute later lifting a shot just wide of the far post. Watkins then drilled in a left-footed cross which was left by everyone before eventually flying wide of the far post.

Villa had their moments in attack during the closing stages but lacked composure when it mattered most.

Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, arrived the sucker punch. Maupay cut inside Elphick and fired into the top corner to deal Villa’s faltering campaign another blow.

Brentford (3-4-3): Bentley, Konsa, Jeanvier, Barbet, Canos (Field 83), Mokotjo, Sawyers, Odubajo, Watkins, Maupay, Benrahma (Ogbene 90+5) Subs not used: McEachran, Dasilva, Forrs, Sorenson, Daniels (gk).

Villa (4-3-3): Kalinic, Hutton, Elphick, Mings, Hause, McGinn, Whelan, Hourihane (Kodjia 84), El Ghazi (Green 59), Abraham, Adomah (Elmohamady 59) Subs not used: Jedinak, Bjarnason, Ramsey, Steer (gk).