Kristoffer Ajer Reveals Keith Andrews' Daily Message to Brentford Players

Kristoffer Ajer has revealed that Keith Andrews speaks to his Brentford players about belief every day, with the defender crediting the manager for helping create a culture where teammates push each other to improve.

Brentford's unbeaten start to the Premier League season continued with a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, although they needed an unlikely goalscorer to rescue a point after John McGinn had put the hosts ahead late in the second half.

Ajer provided the equaliser, arriving in the penalty area to finish past Zion Suzuki just two minutes after Villa took the lead. It was his first goal for Brentford in more than two years, keeping the Bees’ unbeaten as they returned to West London.

Speaking after the game to Brentford’s media team, Ajer was asked about the squad's belief and the challenge of maintaining it ahead of another difficult Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

"Yeah, Keith talks about this every single day at the training ground and also before games. We've created a culture here where everyone believes in each other. We push each other so hard every single day and the confidence is high so we just need to keep working, be humble but confident and then kick on from here."

Andrews has overseen two wins and four draws in Brentford's opening six league matches, including convincing home wins against Tottenham and Chelsea. Saturday's trip to Villa Park was rather less comfortable, despite Yehor Yarmoliuk giving the visitors an early lead.

Nicolas Jackson equalised almost immediately, and Villa had enough chances to take the lead before McGinn eventually beat Caoimhín Kelleher in the 77th minute.

Ajer's response came after a demanding afternoon at the other end. The Norwegian started alongside Jannik Schuster, then partnering Aaron Hickey after the break, with the Austrian youngster withdrawn due to injury.

Brentford have rarely had to chase matches for long this season. The Bees spent just three minutes and ten seconds in losing positions heading to Villa Park, and just two minutes in a losing position during their visit to the Midlands.

Ajer acknowledged that some elements of the performance needed improvement, even if he was satisfied with the result.

"Oh, physically a tough game. Both teams put everything into it. A lot of defending, a lot of attacking from both sides. So it was a very interesting game, I'm sure, for the fans to watch. We obviously want a little bit more control of the game and not give them that many chances. But to leave on a day like today with one point is good."

The defender's contribution was particularly valuable, given how quickly Villa seemed to turn the match in their favour. McGinn's goal came with little more than 10 minutes remaining, but Brentford were level before the hosts had much opportunity to protect their advantage.

Jaidon Anthony was heavily involved in the equaliser, carrying the ball into the penalty area before finding Ajer, who had continued his run forward after initially helping to build the attack.

The Norwegian had already scored for his country during the international break, although his latest effort was rather different. Against Villa, his finish mattered more than any question about its quality.

And Ajer felt Brentford might even have taken all three points after getting themselves back on level terms.

"Yeah, it's obviously challenging. It's amazing quality in the Premier League from both sides. The attacking display was really good and I thought towards the end that we would have nicked the win. That would have been fantastic, but not today, unfortunately."

The Bees remain fourth in the Premier League after six matches, with their unbeaten start the club's longest at the beginning of a league campaign since 2006/07.

Liverpool are next up for Andrews' side, and the Bees manager will need to make defensive decisions after Hickey's second-half appearance alongside Ajer. Schuster has featured regularly during the opening weeks, while the availability of other players has already required adjustments elsewhere in the team.