Watkins has the last laugh over Brentfood boo boys | OneFootball

Aston Villa travelled to Brentford last night hoping to follow up their mid-week Champions League win over Club Brugge with another win.

Villa have failed to win in their last seven games (D3, L4) following a Champions League game and will know that things will have to change if they hope to play in the Elite competition again next season.

Until recently, the Bees have been a force at the Gtech Community Stadium with only Liverpool scoring more goals in the Premier League at home.

Unai Emery knew his side had their work cut out.

Report: Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa

As the team news was announced, Villa fans were left shocked when the rumours were confirmed, Robin Olsen started due to Emi Martinez having a hamstring injury. To top things off, Marco Asensio was also left out of the squad due to a muscle problem. Emery later confirmed that both should be OK for the Champions League second leg but he didn’t want to risk their injuries worsening.

The home side created some early panic for Villa’s defence as Emery’s side were once again, creating problems of their own.

John McGinn tried to do too much in the area, creating a scramble in the penalty area but Youri Tielemans came to his captain’s aid with a last ditch tackle on Yoane Wissa preventing the striker from a shot on goal.

The first chance of note for Villa came when Jacob Ramsey broke on the counter attack before cutting inside and unleashing a curling effort but Nathan Collins diverted the ball wide for a corner with his head.

Minutes later the visitors should have been ahead. Tielemans free-kick dropped to the feet of Tyrone Mings but his effort was tame when it looked easier to score. The defender seemed to have been caught off guard when the ball fell to him.

Both sides continued to play out the first half without any real cut chances to mention.

It took Villa just four minutes after the break to break the deadlock though. Ramsey found Ollie Watkins who ran up the left wing, into the penalty area, cutting inside before powering his effort between the legs of Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal.

A minute later and Villa doubled their lead. Or so they thought. Ramsey and Watkins once again linked up before the latter laying off for Morgan Rogers to tap home. VAR had other ideas ruling Watkins offside in the build up. No goal.

Brentford found another gear as Villa sat deep in an attempt to protect what they had and they soon had a shout for a penalty. Kevin Schade, who struggled to get out of the pocket of Axel Disasi’s pocket all evening felt he had been fouled by the right back but video footage had shown that Matty Cash had got his head to the ball before Disasi lost his footing.

The home side came close late on through Keane Lewis-Potter when his effort smashed off the post. Villa were able to ride their luck at times but in the end did enough to secure all three points and a much needed clean sheet.

Highlights