Watkins Strikes Again as Aston Villa Edge Brentford to Boost Top-Four Hopes

Posted : 09 March 2025

Ollie Watkins once again proved to be a thorn in Brentford's side as he led Aston Villa to a crucial 1-0 victory in west London. The former Brentford striker continued his remarkable scoring streak against his old club, netting his sixth goal in as many games against them.

His winner, however, came with an element of fortune, as Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken failed to keep out his powerful low shot. The victory pushes Villa up to seventh in the Premier League standings, narrowing the gap to the top four to just two points.

Unai Emery’s side has enjoyed an impressive run across multiple competitions, having recently secured a spot in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Their confidence was further boosted with a commanding 3-1 away win over Club Brugge in the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash earlier in the week.

However, Villa had to cope with a few key absences, with first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martinez unavailable due to injury. Emery also made a notable change by leaving Marcus Rashford on the bench, as his team sought to build momentum in their push for a top-four finish.

Despite struggling for consistency in the league—winning just once in their last seven outings—Villa managed to grind out a much-needed victory. Brentford's attacking duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa struggled to make an impact, allowing Villa to take control after a slow first half.

The breakthrough arrived just four minutes into the second half when Watkins' strike slipped through Flekken's grasp. Moments later, Villa thought they had doubled their lead when Morgan Rogers found the net, but a VAR check ruled the goal out for offside.

Brentford pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, with Keane Lewis-Potter coming closest when his long-range shot struck the post. Villa, however, had an opportunity to seal the win in the dying moments, only for Watkins to misfire when he attempted to chip the ball over Flekken.

Nevertheless, the victory marked Villa’s first away league win in nearly two months, putting them firmly back in the race for Champions League qualification. With English clubs performing strongly in European competitions, a top-five finish is likely to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, and Villa now sit just one point away from that crucial fifth spot.

Watkins Strikes Again as Aston Villa Edge Brentford to Boost Top-Four Hopes

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