Ollie Watkins needed a lift after being left out of the England squad. Fortunately for him, Mads Hermansen and West Ham United proved to be extremely obliging during a 2-0 defeat away to Aston Villa.
Scorer of that goal in England’s semi-final triumph over the Netherlands in Euro 2024, Watkins faces a World Cup snub following his patchiest Premier League campaign in an Aston Villa jersey.
West Ham United would not succeed in extending his top-flight goal drought into a seventh game, though.
A very underwhelming Villa Park defeat! 🙄
Describe THAT performance in one word…
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United runs with the ball under pressure from Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on March 22, 2026 in Birmingham, England.
Unai Emery’s Villa cruised past Nuno’s Hammers; Watkins’ sealing three invaluable, Champions League-chasing points after Mads Hermansen had spilled a Morgan Rogers shot into his path in the 68th minute.
Mads Hermansen gifts Ollie Watkins in West Ham United loss
Hermansen was outstanding against Manchester City eight days prior. In fact, the Dane had been largely faultless since returning to the team in February.
But as Hermansen pushed an ambitious yet largely tame Rogers effort into Watkins’ path, this was a mistake reminiscent of his difficult early days under Graham Potter.
Ollie Watkins scores past Mads Hermansen druing Aston Villa v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Harry Murphy – AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
“Amadou Onana, outstanding defensive play [to win the ball back and launch the counter], and then the drive and enthusiasm from this Villa forward line,” said former Villain Lee Hendrie told Sky Sports.
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Morgan Rogers attempt should have been dealt with by. Hermansen will be disappointed. That is a [classic] poacher’s goal.
“Ollie Watkins will be thrilled to get on the scoresheet. If you don’t follow up, you don’t score.”
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Hermansen was blameless as Aston Villa took the lead in the 15th minute through John McGinn, though.
Another set-piece concession by the Hammers. For all the defensive progress they have made under Nuno, Villa became the latest side to exploit their very well-publicised and much-targeted Achilles heel.
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