Aston Villa 1 Brentford 1: Emi Buendia strikes first goal for hosts after Toney’s opener for Bees

ASTON VILLA’S £33million man Emi Buendia struck his first goal for the club to earn a 1-1 draw – after boss Dean Smith was handed a TRIPLE blow before the game.

Buendia floated home a superb equaliser in the 13th minute after Ivan Toney had fired Brentford ahead.

But neither side could force a winner – meaning Thomas Frank’s side are unbeaten in their first Premier League campaign going into the international break.

Villa boss – and ex-Brentford manager – Smith was forced into a late re-think ahead of the the game after announcing midfielders John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey were missing from the squad.

A tweet on Villa’s official account said the players ‘are currently following government guidelines with regards to Covid-19’.

As if that was not enough, skipper Tyrone Mings was also ruled out through injury.

The rejig meant a Premier League debut for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, 19, who helped Villa win the FA Youth Cup last season – while Axel Tuanzebe, back for his second spell on loan under Smith, replaced Mings.

Ex-Brentford defender Ezri Konsa had the captain’s armband.

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The Bees were chasing their first away win in the top slight since 1947.

And they made an ideal start when Toney put them ahead after seven minutes.

A cross from Sergio Canos was flicked on by Christian Norgaard and Toney netted his first goal of the season from eight yards out.

But it took Villa just six minutes to level through Buendia – and it was the first goal Brentford have conceded this season.

Danny Ings played a one-two with Anwar El-Ghazi and set up the Argentina forward who looked set to play the ball to overlapping Matty Cash.

Instead, he deceived his markers and lifted a superbly placed shot into the top corner.

Now Villa were on top and El-Ghazi’s cross bounced off Konsa and fell to Ings but his shot brought a superb save from Bees keeper David Raya.

But Brentford should have scored after 33 minutes when Vitaly Janelt set up Rico Henry who drilled his shot wide of the far post.

However, there was a moment of controversy six minutes before the break when Villa keeper Emi Martinez tried to clear the ball but saw the ball charged down by Janelt – who then slotted home.

But ref Peter Bankes ruled it out and a VAR check backed him up with a free-kick to Villa.

Chukwuemeka was replaced by Marvellous Nakamba just after the hour as Smith looked to firm up his midfield.

But the game became scrappy in the second half – with string of yellow cards being shown to both teams after the break.

Goalscorer Toney was booked for a reckless high challenge on Nakamba when the Villa sub was caught in the face with the striker’s boot.

Another ex-Brentford man – Ollie Watkins – came on for Villa after recovering from an early season injury as the game ended level.