Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford: Unbeaten Bees find leveller through Kristoffer Ajer to halt Villa turnaround at Villa Park

Brentford's fine start to the season was reflected in their confidence. They pressed Villa high from the outset and it brought the opening goal after Tyrone Mings lost possession in a dangerous area. Yehor Yarmoliuk smashed the loose ball into Zion Suzuki's net.

But Villa levelled within 88 seconds when Emi Buendia's shot was deflected into the path of Nicolas Jackson who did the rest from close range. Buendia, Johan Manzambi on his first home start, and John McGinn all then had chances for Villa before the break.

McGinn's deflected strike did give Villa the lead in the 77th minute but once again the response was swift, this time Keith Andrews' side finding the equaliser. Ajer unexpectedly burst through from deep down the left channel and forced the ball home to stun Villa Park.

The point means Brentford remain undefeated six games into the Premier League season and maintain their place among the top four. Meanwhile, Villa's stuttering start to the campaign continues under Unai Emery with just one win from their first six.

10 - GOAL! Yarmoliuk fired Brentford in front early in the game

12 - GOAL! Jackson latched onto Buendia's deflected effort

31 - MISS! Buendia skied his shot after Manzambi was denied

45+5 - SAVES! Jackson and McGinn both denied by Kelleher

73 - OVER! Anthony headed over Jensen's cross at the far post

77 - GOAL! McGinn's strike deflected in for Villa to take the lead

79 - GOAL! Ajer burst through from deep to level it up once more

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews speaking in the press conference:

"We could've won it, could've lost it and I'm a tad disappointed that we couldn't take advantage of situations in the last 10 to 15 minutes where I felt we were coming on strong and had the opportunity to win the game.

"But to come away to a club that is playing in the Champions League, won the Europa League, with a manager who has just been nominated for the Ballon d'Or [for coach of the year] it probably says where we're at, at the moment."

It was Ajer who McGinn's shot deflected off for what briefly looked to be the winning goal for Villa but the Norwegian defender swiftly made amends at the other end with the equalising goal. Speaking to Andrews afterwards, he was fulsome in his praise.

"He's a very professional leader in our dressing room and club, you know, for numerous years now. His game has gone to a different level over the course of the last year.

"I just think he's in those peak years of his career. He is trusted by me, by the staff, by his teammates. He has gone to a World Cup and had a brilliant World Cup. I think that can only give you real confidence in what you're doing and how you do it."

Analysis by Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Villa Park:

"At Villa Park, we have played three matches and we did not win until now," said Unai Emery after seeing his side held by Kristoffer Ajer's goal that earned Brentford their 2-2 draw. This place was once a fortress but it is proving trickier for a much-changed squad.

There will be patience with the players, particularly given that Nicolas Jackson, scorer of Aston Villa's opening goal, has made a promising start and there is such excitement about the potential of talented new signings like Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye.

But could the empty North Stand be another factor in their home form too? Villa Park feels unusually open with no supporters there and the Brentford supporters were likening the atmosphere to that of a library right from the early stages of the contest.

"It just feels wrong, doesn't it? I don't know what it is," said Bees boss Keith Andrews. "I have got a little bit of OCD, so maybe it's that, if there's a whole stand missing, it doesn't quite sit well with me. Naturally, it's not going to generate the type of atmosphere.

"I have to say, I love coming here. When I was growing up as a kid, some Irish legends played here, Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath, Andy Townsend, so it's always been a special place for me and you can feel the history of it. With a stand missing, it is a bit different."

Emery has been sanguine about the situation publicly, accepting that it is one step back to take two forwards by increasing the capacity. But Villa Park is less claustrophobic for its visitors right now and that is far from ideal for a club so reliant on its home form.

What the result means and next fixtures...