A second-half purpose from Ollie Watkins in opposition to his former workforce proved to be the distinction as Aston Villa picked up a much-needed Premier League victory over Brentford.
Villa ran out 1-0 winners on the Gtech Group Stadium courtesy of Watkins’ strike on 49-minutes to offer Unai Emery’s aspect only a second league win in eight video games.
Morgan Rogers noticed a purpose chalked off for offside as Emery’s males defended resolutely to see out the tie and decide up an vital three factors.
The end result strikes Villa as much as seventh, one level behind Brighton and Chelsea.
For Brentford, the end result was simply their second defeat in six matches and leaves Thomas Frank’s workforce in twelfth.
Three factors earned 😤 #BREAVL pic.twitter.com/HZlmrOU1Dp
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 8, 2025
How the motion unfolded
Brentford began brightest and will have been forward after simply six minutes had been it not for Youri Tielemans’ last-ditch deal with as Yoane Wissa ready to shoot following John McGinn’s error.
In what proved to be a largely open first half, Tyrone Mings maybe ought to have made barely extra of an effort from a free-kick, however the defender’s side-footed volley was hit straight into the arms of a grateful Mark Flekken.
Tielemans then drew one other cease from Flekken earlier than the Belgian’s header again throughout purpose was turned over his personal bar by Ethan Pinnock.
After a goalless first half, it took simply three minutes of the second for the impasse to be damaged. Watkins picked up the ball on Villa’s left earlier than reducing inside and unleashing a fierce strike that nestled into the underside nook by way of a slight deflection.
Ollie Watkins breaks the impasse in opposition to his former membership! 🔓
His sixth purpose in six video games in opposition to Brentford since he left 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RB7wZ9td3Z
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2025
Seconds later, Watkins discovered himself in an virtually similar place however this time rolled the ball throughout the field to the oncoming Rogers who slammed house.
However after a VAR verify the purpose was dominated out for an offside in opposition to Watkins.
The sport had all of the sudden burst into life. Wissa flicked a header simply over the bar whereas Axel Disasi twice denied Kevin Schade with vital blocks.
On 70 minutes, Keane Lewis-Potter had Brentford’s greatest likelihood when he rattled the put up with a low drive from the sting of the field.
Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort crashes in opposition to the put up! 💥 pic.twitter.com/OZplIeorgc
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2025
Watkins might have put the tie past the hosts when he raced clear with 5 minutes of the 90 remaining, however the England man went for a chipped end that landed straight into the arms of Flekken.
In the long run, the miss wouldn’t show pricey. Villa, and Disasi specifically, defended nicely to protect the lead and provides the guests an important three factors.
Emery’s aspect will go into their midweek Champions League second-leg stuffed with confidence.