# Ollie Watkins boosts Aston Villa’s top-five hopes with victory at Brentford

The Premier League’s middle is where the juice remaining in the season is likely to be squeezed from. Saturday night the Gtech was recreated as grindhouse, two teams scratching and scraping at each other, all sinew and sweat.

For Unai Emery, playing Champions League football while aiming for the top five resembles building an aeroplane in mid-flight. To maintain the dream state that being in the competition has given fans and staff alike this season,  must improve their away form. With his team having previously failed to win after Champions League away trips, the winner from Ollie Watkins was vital for the domestic challenge ahead. It pulled Chelsea and Manchester City within striking distance. “This three points gives us confidence, the belief to train to compete for a European position,” said the satisfied Basque manager. “We are trying to get balance in the league.”

For Thomas Frank, there is the disappointment of far too much heavy traffic to negotiate if his club to play continental football. If Bees fans blamed refereeing for defeat, injuries and fatigue have curbed the  whirlwind. “Of course we dream and want to end as high as possible,” said Frank. “You could see  felt the pressure because they had to win. They have signed five great players  – that’s what we’re competing against.”

With midweek’s home return leg , despite a 3-1 lead, Emery’s selection was risk-averse, Emi Martínez and Marco Asensio back in Birmingham, both with “muscle pain”, according to their manager. The Argentinian’s first Premier League absence of the season brought in Robin Olsen as goalkeeper. Villa have a mixed record when the Swede has played, 17 goals conceded in seven previous starts.

## Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live





On the sideline, Emery, clad in black, was unimpressed with his team’s chance conversion. Frank’s team, once boasting the best home record in the Premier League, now struggle at the Gtech, winless in seven.

## Debate about penalty calls

If Brentford are not so full of danger as in the autumn, they still made Villa suffer for their points. Previous meekness was set aside as Lewis-Potter cracked the post when laid up by Yoane Wissa. Disasi’s shove on Schade looked a penalty offence only to be waved away by the referee Jarred Gillett for minimal contact. “On a softer side,” said Frank.

More panic stations were seen out but a Christian Nørgaard header was the last Brentford could offer while Olsen held on for dear life. Within such chaos and sweat, Emery had at last found a cure for Villa’s travel sickness.
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