Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the match as Aston Villa recorded a 1-0 victory over Brentford in Saturday's Premier League clash.
The England international's deflected effort shortly after the restart proved to be enough for Unai Emery's side to secure a vital three points at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Morgan Rogers thought that he had doubled Villa's advantage shortly after the breakthrough, but his effort was disallowed by the VAR, with Watkins adjudged to have been in an offside position earlier in the move.
Villa ultimately need just the one goal to triumph, with the result moving them into seventh spot win the Premier League table, only two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Brentford, meanwhile, remain 12th, with the Bees five points clear of 13th-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Brentford will be wondering how they managed to lose this, with the Bees having so many positive moments, especially in the second period, but the final pass just was not there for the hosts on Saturday night.
In the end, Watkins was the difference, with the Englishman's deflected winner separating the two sides, and this was a huge victory for Emery's side, who are now just two points off fourth-placed Man City and one from Chelsea in fifth.
Brentford entered the match with three wins from their last five Premier League games, but their home problems have continued, with the Bees actually now losing five of their last seven league fixtures in front of their own fans.
Villa had only won one of their last nine on their travels in the Premier League entering the match, but that has now become two in 10, and it is three straight wins for the team, who are still in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Frustration will be the word of the day for a Brentford outfit that will feel that they were worth at least a point.
BRENTFORD VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
Ollie Watkins goal vs. Brentford (49th min, Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins breaks the deadlock against his former club! 🔓
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2025
His sixth goal in six games against Brentford since he left 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RB7wZ9td3Z
Villa make the breakthrough in the 49th minute of the contest, and it is Watkins against his former club, with the striker's effort from a wide angle taking a deflection before finding a route through the goalkeeper's legs - the breakthrough has arrived!
Morgan Rogers disallowed goal vs. Brentford (50th min, Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa)
Rogers has the goal in the back of the net but it's ruled out by VAR ❌ pic.twitter.com/27LSrGuBP0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2025
Rogers appears to send Villa two goals ahead with a close-range finish, but VAR comes to Brentford's rescue, with Watkins just offside when the pass from Jacob Ramsey was played into him; Brentford are given a lifeline here.
MAN OF THE MATCH - AXEL DISASI
© Imago
Watkins was the matchwinner, but Disasi was excellent at the back for Villa on Saturday evening, and the on-loan Chelsea defender is fully deserving of the man-of-the-match award in this contest.
The 26-year-old made three tackles and won two aerial duels, and he was a part of a Villa side that shut out Brentford, giving the forwards a platform to go and win the match, with Watkins proving to be the hero.
BRENTFORD VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Brentford 60%-40% Aston VIlla
Shots: Brentford 13-12 Aston VIlla
Shots on target: Brentford 3-4 Aston Villa
Corners: Brentford 6-5 Aston Villa
Fouls: Brentford 10-5 Aston Villa
BEST STAT
Ollie Watkins back to haunt his former club once again 👻
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 8, 2025
The @AVFCOfficial forward has 6 goals in his last 6 appearances against Brentford...#BREAVL pic.twitter.com/1S2B8Gv0J2
WHAT NEXT?
Villa's attention will now switch to the Champions League, preparing to welcome Club Brugge to Villa Park on Wednesday for the second leg of their last-16 clash; Emery's side hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg of the tie in Belgium.
The top-four hopefuls will then take on Preston North End in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after the international break, with the team not having a Premier League fixture next weekend.
Brentford, meanwhile, will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they head to Bournemouth next Saturday.
Matt Law
