Ollie Watkins secured a crucial victory for Aston Villa against his former club Brentford, keeping their hopes for a top-four Premier League finish alive.
Watkins’ 49th-minute strike propelled Villa up to seventh in the table, just two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, though Villa have played one more game. The decisive goal came when Watkins latched onto Jacob Ramsey’s pass down the left, cut inside, and fired a low shot that deflected off Nathan Collins before beating goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
The England forward, who spent three seasons with Brentford, nearly turned provider moments later. He set up Morgan Rogers for a second goal, but it was ruled out by VAR due to Watkins being marginally offside.
Brentford came close to equalizing when Keane Lewis-Potter struck the post, but Villa’s defense, marshaled impressively by on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, stood firm. Villa secured their first league double over Brentford since 1947, dropping Thomas Frank’s side from 11th to 12th in the standings.
A Vital Domestic Win for Villa
After a midweek Champions League triumph over Club Brugge, Villa faced a significant domestic challenge. With potential quarter-final opponents like Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain looming, maintaining league momentum was critical.
Villa had struggled to perform in games following European fixtures, failing to win their last seven such matches. However, they broke that streak in style despite missing key players Emiliano Martinez and Marco Asensio. Nine of the starting XI from their Brugge match featured, demonstrating resilience and depth.
Watkins continued his excellent form, netting his sixth goal in six games against Brentford and his 14th of the season. Meanwhile, Disasi delivered a standout defensive performance, celebrating key tackles with passion that highlighted his swift adaptation to life at Villa.
Brentford’s Lackluster Display
For Brentford, it was a rare off-night at home. While they pressed late on, their overall performance lacked urgency. Collins’ failure to challenge Watkins for the decisive goal and Flekken’s inability to keep the deflected effort out summed up a disappointing evening. Manager Thomas Frank is likely to be dissatisfied with his team’s passive approach and limited attacking opportunities.
Player of the Match: A. Disasi