'Actually' - Thomas Frank makes Unai Emery behaviour claim after Brentford-Aston Villa altercation

Thomas Frank exited his post-match press conference with a remark about Unai Emery following Aston Villa's 2-1 win at Brentford on Sunday afternoon. The Bees' head coach had plenty to say on the chaotic incidents at the end of what was a feisty encounter – and made his opinion known on Emery's actions in the process.

Villa came from behind to claim another huge three points towards their Champions League charge but it wasn't pretty. It took a red card for Brentford's Ben Mee for the Villans to show much of an attacking threat and then Ollie Watkins' celebrating his eventual winner sparked fury on and off the field.

Both sets of players had confrontations, firstly in the immediate aftermath of Watkins' goal and then due to Emiliano Martinez grabbing Neal Maupay off the ground. The latter incident was the feistier of the two and Emery even rushed over onto the field to try and calm down his players.

The Villa boss was shouting at his squad to get away from the angered Brentford players but Boubacar Kamara didn't get the memo as he put his hand on Yegor Yarmolyuk's neck and was shown a straight red card. A whole host of yellows were shown throughout the game, too, with a total of 11 players ending up in David Coote's book.

“I didn’t like the situations at the end of the game. I think it’s difficult in an emotional game but you [have to] show class – win, draw, or lose," Frank said in the post-match press conference.

"I said in the dressing room they [Brentford] gave everything. I was pleased with their performances – it's tough to take when things are going against you. But above all else, show class," Frank hammered home.

The Brentford manager first ignored the actions of Emery as he wanted to focus on his own players and their lack of discipline – something he was particularly distraught about. But then, just as he was about to leave the press room, Frank said: "I actually think Unai showed class."

Frank wasn't directly asked or provoked to offer Emery praise but he made sure to which in itself is rather classy, many would say. There may well have been a lot of passion and frustration exerted on the field but no love has been lost between the two managers.