Brentford B striker Aaron Pressley netted his first goal for the young Bees since the 2020/21 season on Tuesday as the B Team faced Como 1907 in Italy.

The forward player, who spent the first half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with AFC Wimbledon, missed the second half of last season through injury before he returned to get his first minutes of this season against Peterborough United in the Premier League Cup on 18 November. He added to those 10 minutes with 35 minutes of action for the young Bees where he netted from close range on Tuesday.

Speaking about grabbing his goal for the B Team after such a lengthy spell out, Aaron explained: “I’m very happy, it’s been a very long time out for me and to come out to Italy for a really good game and get 35 minutes, as well as a goal, it was good. It’s disappointing in terms of the defeat but I think we had enough chances to win the game. It was a good test for the boys.

“It’s different, I’ve not been out there since February and then I injured my hamstring. My last start in football was over a year ago which is a really long time out. I’m looking to get back in playing consistently and getting my form again. We’ll then see where it takes me.”

Discussing the long road to recovery following surgery, Aaron was keen to pay tribute to those that have helped him off the pitch as he went through his rehab programme.

He continued: “For me it’s been tough, watching people playing football and you’re stuck in the physio room. I have to give a mention to Paolo (Perna, B Team Physiotherapist) who has stuck with me all the time. He’s really helped me along the way through ups and downs. It’s been tough but off the pitch I’ve become a better person and developed myself in other areas which I feel I can then take onto the pitch. It was a bad thing but you have to see it as a positive.”

Aaron first joined the Club in January 2020 from Aston Villa. Since then he went on to be the side’s top scorer in the 2020/21 season before he headed out on loan to Wimbledon last season. He’s witnessed different squads within the B Team group and he feels the current crop of players have a fantastic bond.

He explained: “Neil spoke to us (after the Como defeat) and made some key points. The boys are gutted about not getting the result because we’re unbeaten (since August) for a long run. We put it in today and will continue to do that on the training ground. The togetherness is very good; the boys all get along. The unity in the team is outstanding as well as the quality. I think we can go far this year.”