Ollie Watkins scored his 36th Premier League goal at Villa Park, one behind Dwight Yorke's club-record tally
Aston Villa ended a run of eight successive games without victory by beating Brentford at Villa Park.
Unai Emery's team had not won in the Premier League since beating Fulham at Craven Cottage in October but opened the scoring when Morgan Rogers sent a superb curling strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Ollie Watkins doubled Villa's lead from the penalty spot less than seven minutes later after the former Brentford forward was fouled by Ethan Pinnock inside the box.
The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession at Villa Park but fell further behind when Matty Cash powered home Rogers' cross at the far post.
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken had to be at full stretch to prevent Watkins heading in a fourth for Villa early in the second half, before Mikkel Damsgaard pulled a goal back for the Bees with a thumping close-range drive.
But Flekken continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers, pulling off smart saves from Watkins and the England forward's replacement Jhon Duran late in the half.
Brentford substitute Thiago blazed over the crossbar moments after coming off the bench, but Villa held on comfortably to move up to seventh in the table - two places above the visitors.
Villa rediscover ruthless touch
The victory will come as a huge relief to Emery, who bemoaned Villa's lack of cutting edge in Sunday's loss at Chelsea but will be delighted with how his side took their chances in the first half against Brentford.
There were one or two stray passes from the hosts in the early stages but Rogers' fourth league goal of the campaign - a personal best for the 22-year-old - helped Villa find their groove.
Leon Bailey did brilliantly to pick out Watkins' run in the build-up to Villa's penalty, although the latter was relieved to see the ball nestle in the corner after Flekken got a hand to the shot.
Watkins has now scored 36 Premier League goals at Villa Park, and only some fine second-half goalkeeping from Flekken prevented the forward from equalling Dwight Yorke's club-record tally of 37.
Damsgaard's second-half effort reduced the arrears after Cash had powered home his first of the campaign, but there was little prospect of a repeat of last season's remarkable 3-3 draw between the teams as Villa continued to create the better openings.
Duran - without a Premier League goal since September - was denied twice by Flekken after replacing Watkins midway through the second half as the hosts ended the game on 20 attempts, their highest total in a league match this season.
More away-day blues for Brentford
Brentford's away record this season is in stark contrast to their form on home soil, where they have been scoring goals for fun in recent weeks.
Only beleaguered Southampton have collected as few points on their travels as Thomas Frank's side, who saw a lot of the ball in the early stages but faded badly after Rogers' opener.
Wednesday's 3-1 loss also extends the Bees' run at Villa Park to 10 matches without ever recording a victory.
Damsgaard's second-half strike was their only effort on target on a frustrating night for Frank's team, who had Flekken to thank for keeping Villa at bay after the interval.
The west London club have now lost 18 of their past 26 league games on their travels, with trips to neighbours Chelsea and Brighton - not to mention a visit to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals - still to come in December.
Brentford will be confident of returning to winning ways when they host the Magpies on Saturday, but they need to find a way of replicating their impressive home performances away from the Gtech Community Stadium.
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