Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1: Ollie Watkins continues epic run of form against former club as Villans close gap on top six
ASTON VILLA managed to ditch their post-Champions League problems as Ollie Watkins downed his former club.
Unai Emery’s biggest problem this season has been picking up points after their European adventures.
His side had won just once following a European game – back in September when the season was young and tired legs not something anyone was worrying about.
And after their biggest night in Europe for decades in Belgium on Tuesday, there would have been concern over another flop in west London.
But Watkins, with his sixth goal in six games against his old club Bretford, delivered a moment of clarity in a desperately scrappy affair.
The fact that Villa walked away victorious when Emery did not have either Marco Asensio or Emi Martinez due to injury will be even more satisfying.
After an untidy start, which featured some haphazard Villa defending, it was the visitors who carved the first real chances.
Jacob Ramsey, starting on the left, cut inside and bent an effort towards the top corner, only for Nathan Collins to glance it behind.
Minutes later they were denied again, though more due to Tyrone Mings’ soft close range attempt from a fine Youri Tielemans free-kick.
Villa were doing well to prevent Brentford’s usually tenacious forward line from zipping through them.
Through the entire first half the hosts were reduced to just one pot shot from Keane Lewis-Potter, which was easily gathered by Robin Olsen.
Emery’s men, however, were having to work hard for their chances and struggling to take them when they came.
Tielemans made a smart run into the box but the shot was stopped at the near post before his header into the six-yard box was hooked over the bar.
Villa emerged with a sense that this game was there to be killed off if they could find the energy.
And it was former Bees man Watkins, who had been booed all evening, who got them on their way thanks to some lax defending and shoddy goalkeeping.
Ramsey fed the England man down Villa’s left hand side.
With no one in a red and white shirt stepping up to try and stop their former teammate, Watkins continued to push forwards and, eventually, rattled a low effort towards goal.
The strike was powerful but should have been stopped by Mark Flekken, who instead allowed it to slip between his legs.
Watkins, who last year picked out an abusive Bees fan for a row following his goal, opted to celebrate with the Villa fans this time around.
Two minutes later he thought there was cause for more celebration, having teed up Morgan Rogers for a second – though it was ruled out for an incredibly tight offside.
Brentford would have been dead and buried had that stood, but instead had a chance to fight back and were causing trouble down the left.
Though Axel Disasi, the defender on loan from Chelsea, was proving up to the task.
The Frenchman celebrated wildly after his challenge stopped Lewis-Potter’s cross after a rapid run to the byline, while he did the same to stop Kevin Schade shortly after.
Thomas Frank did, however, have some complaints regarding the defender – who sparked two penalty shouts with challenges on Schade.
Neither were given on the pitch and it would have been a surprise to see those decisions overturned.
Emery did not feel safe with just a one goal lead and sent Marcus Rashford on to try and make things more comfortable – though he made little impact and Villa were left to hang on.
Brentford would not relent, with Lewis-Potter crashing the foot of the post from range.
Olsen flew to stop another Schade effort before, after a series of blocks from Villa defenders, Christian Noorgard hooked one wide.