Ollie Watkins returned to hang-out previous membership Brentford as soon as extra as Aston Villa closed on the Premier League’s prime 4 with a 1-0 win in west London on Saturday.
The England striker has now scored six instances in his final six video games in opposition to the Bees however had Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank for his half within the winner.
Victory lifts Villa as much as seventh and inside two factors of the highest 4 to spherical off a advantageous week for Unai Emery’s males.
After progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals final weekend, Villa took an enormous stride in the direction of the final eight of the Champions League with a 3-1 away win within the first leg of their final 16 tie in opposition to Membership Brugge on Tuesday.
“We now have to be extraordinarily demanding for the remainder of the season,” stated Emery.
“Now we’re actually hungry to play the final two-and-a-half months (of the season). We misplaced one thing in our approach this 12 months and now we have to attempt to get well it now, particularly within the Premier League.”
Emery needed to cope with out the injured Emi Martinez, whereas Marcus Rashford dropped to the bench within the Spaniard’s solely two modifications from midweek.
Villa had received simply one among their final seven Premier League video games to position their possibilities of a Champions League return subsequent season in severe jeopardy.
However they floor out an important three factors as Brentford’s prolific ahead duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa failed to fireside.
After a flat first half, the sport got here to life simply 4 minutes into the second interval when Watkins’ highly effective low shot slipped via Flekken’s grasp.
Moments later the guests thought they’d a second as Watkins this time performed supplier for Morgan Rogers to stroke house.
Nonetheless, a VAR evaluation for offside got here to Brentford’s rescue.
The house aspect did a lot of the urgent within the remaining half hour.
Keane Lewis-Potter got here closest to an equaliser when his shot from outdoors the field hit the publish.
Villa, although, ought to have made a nervy finale extra snug when Watkins raced clear via however obtained the execution on an tried chip over Flekken all flawed.
A primary away league win in almost two months brings Villa proper again into rivalry for the Champions League locations.
A top-five end is nearly sure to be sufficient because of the robust efficiency of English sides in European competitors this season.
Villa at the moment are only one level outdoors the highest 5 as 5 factors separate Manchester Metropolis in fourth from Fulham in tenth.
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