Watkins nets against former club to give visitors vital victory

A second-half goal from Ollie Watkins against his former team proved to be the difference as Aston Villa picked up a much-needed Premier League victory over Brentford.

Villa ran out 1-0 winners at the Gtech Community Stadium courtesy of Watkins’ strike on 49-minutes to give Unai Emery’s side just a second league win in eight games.

Morgan Rogers saw a goal chalked off for offside as Emery’s men defended resolutely to see out the tie and pick up an important three points.

The result moves Villa up to seventh, one point behind Brighton and Chelsea.

For Brentford, the result was just their second defeat in six matches and leaves Thomas Frank’s team in 12th.

Three points earned 😤 #BREAVL pic.twitter.com/HZlmrOU1Dp

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 8, 2025

How the action unfolded

Brentford started brightest and could have been ahead after just six minutes were it not for Youri Tielemans’ last-ditch tackle as Yoane Wissa prepared to shoot following John McGinn’s error.

In what proved to be a largely open first half, Tyrone Mings perhaps should have made slightly more of an effort from a free-kick, but the defender’s side-footed volley was hit straight into the arms of a grateful Mark Flekken.

Tielemans then drew another stop from Flekken before the Belgian’s header back across goal was turned over his own bar by Ethan Pinnock.

After a goalless first half, it took just three minutes of the second for the deadlock to be broken. Watkins picked up the ball on Villa’s left before cutting inside and unleashing a fierce strike that nestled into the bottom corner via a slight deflection.

Ollie Watkins breaks the deadlock 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 found himself in an almost identical position but this time rolled the ball across the box to the oncoming Rogers who slammed home.

But after a VAR check the goal was ruled out for an offside against Watkins.

The game had suddenly burst into life. Wissa flicked a header just over the bar while Axel Disasi twice denied Kevin Schade with important blocks.

On 70 minutes, Keane Lewis-Potter had Brentford’s best chance when he rattled the post with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort crashes against the post! 💥 pic.twitter.com/OZplIeorgc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2025

Watkins could have put the tie beyond the hosts when he raced clear with five minutes of the 90 remaining, but the England man went for a chipped finish that landed straight into the arms of Flekken.

In the end, the miss would not prove costly. Villa, and Disasi in particular, defended well to preserve the lead and give the visitors a vital three points.

Emery’s side will go into their midweek Champions League second-leg full of confidence.