Aston Villa scrapped to a 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday as Unai Emery’s side close the gap on the top four.
WATCH – Full match replay
On his return to his former club Ollie Watkins was the difference as he scored early in the second half to silence the boos from the home fans.
Brentford hit the post and came close on several occasions in the second half as a draw was probably the fair result.
Villa move on to 45 points, while Brentford remain on 38.
Villa’s extra quality just makes the difference
This was essentially a game between two intense teams trying to do exactly the same things. In the end the only difference was Villa’s extra quality. Watkins scored the goal after a brilliant driving run and Villa held on for an important win in an incredibly tight game. The only difference is the extra resources Villa have as Brentford matched them all the way but in the key moments they just came up short. There’s no shame in that and like when you play against Villa, you always know you’ve been in a game when you face Brentford. The intensity, directness and sheer passion all of the players on the pitch showed on Saturday was what the Premier League is all about. If they stay up for a few more years then Brentford are on track to having the funds to get closer and closer to being what Villa are and inevitably qualifying for Europe. They are clearly on the right path but Villa’s heavy, and savvy, spending has them ahead of the chasing pack of hopefuls right now.
Brentford vs Aston Villa player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Brentford head to Bournemouth on Saturday March 15, while Aston Villa host Club Brugge on Wednesday in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash as they lead 3-1 from the first leg.
Brentford vs Aston Villa score: 0-1
Watkins 49'
Brentford vs Aston Villa live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Watkins is in but Flekken saves his dink
That was the chance for Villa to clinch it. He’s played in over the top and is in on Flekken... but his dink doesn’t fool Flekken who stands tall to save.
Norgaard fires just wide
It’s all Brentford now. A cross causes chaos and eventually the ball drops to Norgaard. His volley flies just wide.
Brentford want a penalty
Schade goes down under contact from Disasi in the box, but that’s not enough contact. He went down very easily. VAR has a look but no penalty kick is given. Brentford are all over Villa late on.
Lewis-Potter hits the post
Brentford are piling on the pressure now. A cross is flicked on an Wissa sets up Lewis-Potter and his low shot beats Olsen but hits the post.
Disasi with another huge block
Wissa does so well to knock down a long ball and flick it in to Schade. He’s in but Disasi slides in again and times his challenge perfectly.
Rashford is on for Ramsey
Marcus Rashford is coming on for Jacob Ramsey. The youngster has been really good. Time for Rashford to help Villa finish things off.
Disasi makes a crucial tackle
Lewis-Potter is in and is about to square the ball inside the six yard box... but Disasi makes up a huge distance and slides in to knock it out for a corner. He celebrates that challenge like a goal. And rightly so. That was crucial.
Rogers finishes... but no goal as VAR rules it offside
Watkins is through again down the left and this time he cuts it back to Morgan Rogers who finishes. Incredible few minutes for Villa. Wow. But hang on, VAR is checking. The goal is chalked out for a very narrow offside in the build-up.
Watkins smashes home! — Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa
Villa counter through Tielemans and Ramsey. The ball is played to Watkins and he cuts in from the left and smashes a shot on goal, which takes a slight deflection and goes through Flekken. Cue more boos from the home fans towards their former striker. Perfect start to the second half for Villa.
Half time: Brentford 0-0 Aston Villa
Villa went close on several occasions and Brentford couldn’t really get going in that first half. Still, it’s tight and all to play for.
Tielemans, Rogers denied as Pinnock clears
Tielemans goes on a run into the box and his shot is pushed out by Flekken, then Rogers has a shot which is blocked for a corner. That eventually comes back to Tielemans and his header is flicked over his own crossbar fortuitously by Pinnock. Very tight, tense game this.
Mings should score
A free kick is clipped in and Mings is free and eight yards out but can’t get any power on his volley and Flekken saves. That was a big chance for Villa. Lovely cross from Tielemans.
How are Brentford not ahead!?
A real melee in the box after Damsgaard plays in Janelt. Olsen and Mings manage to keep out Schade. But it looked like Janelt was offside in the build-up. That came after McGinn was caught on it in his own box and Tielemans eventually cleared. Villa struggling early on.
Brentford lineup
Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Schade, Mbeumo, Wissa
Aston Villa lineup
Olsen; Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Sepp van den Berg (knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Rico Henry (hamstring), Igor Thiago (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Mathis Jensen (adductor), Christian Norgaard (concussion)
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Amadou Onana (thigh), Ross Barkley (calf)
Brentford vs Aston Villa prediction
This feels like it will be a tight, tense game between two teams who love to play direct on the counter. A draw feels just about right. Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa.
Brentford vs Aston Villa preview
The Bees drew at home against Everton last time out but results have picked up impressively in recent months and Thomas Frank’s side are once again sitting pretty in midtable. If they beat Villa on Saturday they will move just one point behind them and a late surge towards European qualification is not out of the question.
Villa won 3-1 at Club Brugge on Tuesday to give themselves a nice cushion ahead of their last 16 second leg at home next Wednesday. Unai Emery’s side weren’t brilliant in Bruges but they were clinical late on as the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio have made a huge difference in attack. Villa’s attacking depth is scary but they do have to get back on track in the Premier League, while they’re also in the FA Cup quarterfinals as their large squad is being stretched to its limits.
How to watch Brentford vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Saturday (March 8)
Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com & on Peacock