A second half goal from Ollie Watkins against his former team turned out to be the difference when Aston Villa took a much-needed Premier League victory on Brentford.
Villa rose 1-0 winners in the Gtech Community Stadium thanks to the strike of Watkins in 49 minutes to give Unai Emery’s side only a second competition win in eight games.
Morgan Rogers saw a goal go for offside when Emery’s men resolutely defended to see the draw and get an important three points.
The result moves Villa to the seventh, a point behind Brighton and Chelsea.
For Brentford, the result was only their second defeat in six games and leaves the Thomas Frank team in the 12th.
Three points earned 😤 #BReavl pic.twitter.com/hzlmrou1dp
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) March 8, 2025
How the action unfolded
Brentford started the brightest and after just six minutes ahead could have been, were it not for the last grip of your Tielemans, because Yoane Wissa prepared to photograph after John McGinn’s fault.
In what turned out to be a largely open first half, Tyrone Mings might have had to put a little more effort from a free kick, but the side -foot volley of the defender was hit directly in the arms of a grateful Mark Flekken.
Tielemans then pulled a stop from Flekken before the head of the Belgian was turned over the goal of his own bar by Ethan Pinnock.
After a aimless first half, it only took three minutes from the second before the impasse was broken. Watkins grabbed the ball on the left of Villa before cutting in and unleashed a bright blow that nestled in the bottom corner through a slight deflection.
Ollie Watkins breaks the impasse against his former club! 🔓
His sixth goal in six games against Brentford since he left 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rb7WZ9TD3Z
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) March 8, 2025
Seconds later, Watkins was in an almost identical position, but this time the ball rolled over the box to the oncoming rogers who hit home.
But after a VAR check, the goal was excluded for an offside against Watkins.
The game was suddenly broken into life. Wissa hit a header just over the rod while Axel Disasi Kevin denied damage twice with important blocks.
At 70 minutes, Keane Lewis-Potter had the best chance of Brentford when he rattled the pole with a low ride from the edge of the box.
The efforts of Keane Lewis-Potter crash against the post! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ozplieorgc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) March 8, 2025
Watkins could have put the draw beyond the hosts when he ran free with five minutes of the 90 left, but the English man went for a broken finish that landed right into the arms of Flekken.
In the end the Miss would not be expensive. Villa, and Disasi in particular, defended well to keep the lead and give the visitors a vital three points.
Emery’s side goes to their midweek Champions League second leg with confidence.
