After full-time on Sunday, you could feel that uneasy mood that hung over Aston Villa and their connections last August coming back, the general sense that the world was not quite giving them a square deal.
Like in August, you couldn't say that Villa were being cheated: the PSR regulations are what they are, and the ball probably was over the line, and all the way back there probably is where the attacking phase started – nothing personal, just rules.
But as they set off home, you could tell that the Villa collective were sensing the ground beneath them somehow tilting slightly uphill.
The fearsome look on Unai Emery's face as he left the playing area had softened by the time he arrived in the radio room 40 minutes later and the tone of his remarks was well-judged.
He gently protested against the disallowing of Tammy Abraham's goal – the words "not fair" made for an easy headline, but were part of the most polite of complaints – but his first thought was to congratulate Brentford on their outstandingly disciplined performance and he reminded all concerned that Villa being in third place at all remains a big deal.
Emery's tone is worth taking time to note because it is hard to think of another major club at present where the head coach is such a singular, totemic figure.
Managers are the most prominent public face and voice at most clubs now, but few are regarded with the reverence Emery inspires among Villa fans, players and staff.
This never lasts for ever – even Manchester City fans must soon contemplate a world after Pep Guardiola – and one could easily believe that Emery is so invested in his work that he is to some extent unaware of his own standing.
But players, when interviewed, frequently talk unprompted about his influence within the club, and fans take their cue from his mood. In Emery, they trust.
The Brentford defeat was of a different nature to the loss against Everton. Where they appeared short of energy a fortnight previously, this time they lacked guile to pick through the visitors’ remarkably well-constructed defence.
A 10-man plan is seldom executed so well for so long as it was by Brentford, which was Villa's real misfortune.
Their response to the last setback, winning two demanding away fixtures in seven days, was impressive. This time the next task is equally difficult, to visit Bournemouth without being distracted by the pack behind them finally gathering momentum.
This working week, behind the gates of Bodymoor Heath, may therefore be the most important of the season to date.
Listen to full commentary of Bournemouth v Aston Villa at 3pm on Saturday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM]
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-Infrom 18:00 on weeknights
Explore Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds
