As Brentford and Aston Villa prepared for the penalty shootout that would decide Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie, the difference between them was striking.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews had gathered his players and staff into a huddle. A few yards away, Villa players milled about individually or in smaller groups, looking unsure of themselves. It was no surprise when Brentford prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks.
Though a snapshot cannot tell a whole story, it seemed to capture what Villa have become since May 25, when defeat at Manchester United on the final day of the season killed off their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.