It's looking so bleak for Hammers now after Spurs cash in on feeble Villa's Europa distraction

The Gtech was a grim place for the Hammers this weekend

For Spurs, it was just the perfect time to play Aston Villa. For West Ham, it was maybe the worst time to take on a Brentford side eyeing a crack at European football for the first time.

Tottenham travelled to Villa Park on Sunday night with an extra spring in their step after seeing the Hammers cave in 3-0 at the Gtech to the ambitious Bees. It gave them the chance to overtake their east London rivals and get out of the bottom three with a win.

That they achieved with a determined display. An excellent early strike from Conor Gallagher and a Richarlison header put Roberto de Zerbi's team 2-0 up and it was not until deep into injury time that Emi Buendia managed to pull one back for Unai Emery's men, who had more than one eye on their Europe League semi-final date with Nottingham Forest on Thursday night.

With three games to play, Tottenham's one point advantage over the Irons is effectively two because of their superior goal difference. They have been dreadful at home this season, but should fancy their chances of beating Leeds - safe and with nothing to play for - as well as Everton in their final two home games.

Chelsea away may prove problematic, but less so than West Ham's next game which is against an Arsenal side who will be hell-bent on victory as they chase the title. Newcastle away is never easy and the final game, at home to Leeds, may come too late for them to save the day.

The seeds of West Ham's awful weekend came in that Saturday loss to a Brentford side they always seem to have trouble with.

Here are Capital Football writer Julian Taylor's talking points from the game:

Eye on Europe v the Pressure Drop

If luck was in desperately short supply for West Ham at the Gtech, it could hardly have come at a worse possible time.

Much will be noted over the fact that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side hit the woodwork four times, during periods when they appeared brisk and forward thinking.

The first half was a highly entertaining affair, but Brentford began to stretch the Hammers after the break. And once Igor Thiago netted the Bees’ second goal from the penalty spot – his 22nd league strike of the season - the outcome became clearer. Mikkel Damsgaard’s late third goal merely put the gloss on matters.

Brentford have, consequently, an eye on Europe. Sixth in the Premier League yesterday - before Bournemouth leapfrogged them today - is a great place to be for Keith Andrews’ outfit. West Ham had an opportunity here – even a point would have been crucial.

While West Ham had fine individuals on display, such as Crysencio Summerville, the own goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos’ in the 15th minute was a lapse in communication. This has happened far too often for supporters and has ultimately contributed to their perilous position. Mavropanos, in fairness, went on to have a good game as did most of his team mates.

“They (Brentford) are a good team and we have to think about what we did well and now we have to stick together,” said Espirito Santo afterwards. “I am disappointed of course. The first half was really positive and we were in control and hit the post. We were positive but overall it was a tough day for us.

“The real thing is how we react to a setback like this. It is all about how we react and it (relegation potential) will go to the last game.”

The Bees, though, showed that they had the resilience across the team which helped shift a poor home record, having not won at the Gtech since January. By the end of the London derby, it felt a more assumed confidence had already re-emerged.

Thiago leads the Bees’ swarm

While much of the pre-season talk was about how Brentford would survive in a post-Ivan Toney era, Igor Thiago has provided an emphatic answer. His 54th-minute penalty wasn't just a clinical execution.

His physical presence occupied Mavropanos and Max Kilman all afternoon, but it is his positioning that has truly elevated Andrews' side. By consistently finding space between the lines, he allowed the likes of Damsgaard, Matheus Jensen and Dango Ouattara to flourish.

Brentford have successfully transitioned from a team that often relied on a talisman like Toney, to a cohesive attacking unit where Thiago is the finishing touch.

Somehow, Brentford, whether under previous boss Thomas Frank or Andrews, have the knack of recycling their attack. There is no talk around this part of west London of the likes of Toney and Yoane Wissa these days. On this form, Thiago’s touch and responsibility suggests he remains very much in the mix for Brazil’s World Cup squad.

Big Steps in Dasilva’s return to action

You would think that the respective goals in 3-0 win at home would elicit the biggest cheers on a good day for Brentford.

Yet the biggest roar of the afternoon came when a favourite son made a late cameo off the substitute’s bench. Josh Dasilva, out with an ACL injury since January 2024, made his tentative first steps back into the top team environment.

Bees fans don’t forget – and the Gtech stood to attention when the gifted midfielder once again took to the pitch.

Mentally, an absence of over two years would be taxing for any player, not to mention how much time it cuts into a career.

This is where Andrews has come in. It is obvious the Brentford head coach has impressive man management attributes, when listening to how he spoke about Dasilva in the post-match press conference.

“It was always in the back of my mind to get him back on the pitch,” said Andrews. “It has been a hell of a journey for him, It was a very emotional moment and in the dressing room after the game it was emotional. He’s a very special human being.

“Josh was one of my favourite players in years gone by when I was behind the scenes. His ability is not in doubt and if we can keep him fit he will be just fine. Josh was the biggest bonus for me today.”

Dasilva still has plenty to offer Brentford. Naturally there will be a few personnel changes at the club in the summer – but the 27 year old should be very much in thoughts of first team action when 2026/27 come around.