Ollie Watkins, Unai Emery, Aston Villa, Premier League, Brentford
(Credit: Imago)
Declan Carr
Sat 8 March 2025 19:37, UK
Ollie Watkins was the match-winner as Aston Villa beat Brentford 1-0 at the G-Tech Stadium on Saturday evening.
Watkins‘ second-half strike in West London was enough for the Villans to move within two points of the Premier League’s top four.
Brentford pushed for a leveller but could not find one and Villa held on for all three points to increase their chances of Champions League qualification.
Here, Villa News rates the players out of 10, with stats from Fotmob.
Robin Olsen – 7
The Swede was fantastic as he made three saves and 11 recoveries after replacing Emi Martinez in the starting-line up.
Axel Disasi – 8
The former Chelsea man made five clearances and won two of his three tackles for a 67 per cent success rate in a makeshift right-back role.
MORE VILLA STORIES
Ezri Konsa – 6
Konsa recorded a 91 per cent pass accuracy and made five clearances and four recoveries in a solid performance.
Tyrone Mings – 8
Mings continued his excellent form from midweek with a commanding display as he won all three ground duels and three out of four aerial duels for a 75 per cent success rate.
Lucas Digne – 6
The Frenchman put in a solid defensive display as he won four of six ground duels for a 67 per cent success rate and made three clearances.
John McGinn – 5 (off for Kamara , 61)
The captain was hooked after 61 minutes as he recorded two out of four accurate long passes for a 50 per cent completion and won just one of four ground duels for a 25 per cent success rate.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Tielemans has been a key man for Villa recently and he shined in London, creating two chances and completing the most dribbles in the contest (three) while also making five clearances defensively.
Leon Bailey
Bailey struggled against the Bees. (Credit: Imago)
Bailey flops despite Villa victory
Leon Bailey – 3 (off for Cash, 45)
The Jamaican winger created zero chances and had just one touch in the opposition box in a disappointing display that saw him replaced at half-time.
Morgan Rogers – 6 (off for Malen, 90)
The 22-year-old was the most fouled player in the contest with two fouls won and made four passes into the final third in an encouraging display that ultimately led to an offside goal that was ruled out.
Jacob Ramsey – 7 (off for Rashford, 68)
Ramsey notched an assist, made five touches in the Bees penalty area and made two passes into the final third in a very influential performance.
Ollie Watkins
Watkins was brilliant against his old club. (Credit: Imago)
Watkins shines again for Villa
Ollie Watkins – 9
Watkins was the difference maker against his former club as he struck the only goal, had six touches in the opposition box and completed 100% of his long passes while also making four clearances defensively.
Stats Watkins v Brentford
Goals 1
Shots on target 2
Touches in opposition box 6
Watkins v Brentford
Substitutes:
Matty Cash – 6 (on for Bailey, 45)
Boubacar Kamara – 6 (on for McGinn, 61)
Marcus Rashford – 5 (on for Ramsey, 68)
Donyell Malen – N/A (on for Rogers, 90)
Related Posts