# 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.”



### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

#### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

Read more

### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

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

#### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

Here he saw out his second clean sheet, though not without moments of trepidation. “He did a fantastic job today,” said Emery. “He is appreciated as a person. It is not easy being behind the best goalkeeper in the world.”

His tactics initially appeared the opposite of cautious. A forward line of Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey supporting Watkins left John McGinn and Youri Tielemans covering midfield. Neither is a natural anchor and early on, McGinn was twice caught dallying as Brentford engaged the highest of presses.

Villa soon started creating the better chances, Ramsey whipping a right-footed shot that Mark Flekken saved, while Tyrone Mings could only divert a chipped Tielemans free-kick right at the goalkeeper.



### Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring against his former club.

Photograph: Harry Murphy/AVFC/Aston Villa FC/Getty Images

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.

### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

#### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

Going behind, Watkins scoring for the sixth time against his old club  following a late winner, injected fight into Brentford and their supporters. “I like Ollie, he’s a good player,” said Frank bluntly of the former home striker turned bogeyman.

Villa survived the first of two penalty calls when the half-time substitute Matty Cash and Axel Disasi first clattered into each other and then Kevin Schade. Cash was deemed to have played the ball before the collision. “A big, big penalty,” said Frank. “I don’t understand how VAR can’t overturn it.”

### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

#### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

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.

### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

#### Brentford v Aston Villa: Premier League – live

****

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.
```