The goal in the second half of Ollie Watkins against his former team proved to be a difference as Aston Villa picked up the much -needed victory of the Premier League over Brentford.
Villa ran out at the Gtech Community Stadium at the Gtech Stadium from the kindness of Watkins’ strike for 49 minutes, to give Unai Emery only a win in the Second League in eight games.
Morgan Rogers saw a goal of offshore chalk while Emery’s people firmly defended themselves to see a tie and pick up three points.
The result of the villa moves to the seventh, one point behind Brighton and Chelsea.
For Brentford, the result was only their second defeat in six matches and left Thomas Frank’s team in 12th place.
Three earned points 😤 #Breaavl pic.twitter.com/hzlmrou1dp
– Aston Villa (@Avfcofficial) March 8, 2025
As the action took place
Brentford started the brightest and could have been forward after just six minutes that there was no last running of your tielemans while Yoane Wissa was preparing to shoot after John McGinn’s mistake.
In what proved to be mostly open first half, Tyrone Mings may have been supposed to make a little more effort from a free kick, but the veteran flying struck straight into the arms of a grateful Mark Flekken.
Tielemans then drew another stopping from the Flekken before the Belgian header back over the goal, Ethan Pinnock switched his own bar.
After the first half without a goal, it only took three minutes of the second to break the stack. Watkins picked up the ball from the villa left before cutting inside and releasing a fierce blow that was located in the lower corner in the lower corner.
Ollie Watkins breaks down the deadline against her 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
A few seconds later, Watkins found himself in an almost identical position, but this time the ball rolled over the frame to the upcoming Rogers who headed home.
But after checking the VAR, the goal was excluded due to the offseded against Watkins.
The game suddenly broke into life. Wissa stuck her head just above the bar, while Axel Disasi twice rejected Kevin Schade with important blocks.
In 70 minutes, Keane Lewis-Potter had Brentford’s best chance when he had spoiled a low-drive post from the edge of the box.
Keane Lewis-Potter’s efforts are against fasting! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ozplieorgccccccc
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportspl) March 8, 2025
Watkins could throw out a tie outside the host when he ran purely with five minutes of the remaining 90, but the English man went to a chopped finish that landed straight into the flesh’s arms.
In the end, the failure would not prove expensive. Villa, and especially Disas, defended themselves well to preserve the lead and give visitors a vital three points.
Emery’s side will enter their middle Champions League Champions League full of confidence.
