Aston Villa Defeats Brentford 1-0, Watkins Scores

Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the match, leading Aston Villa to a 1-0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, marking his sixth goal against his former club since leaving in 2020. The win keeps Villa's hopes for European qualification alive, placing them just two points behind fourth-place Manchester City. Despite a shaky start where Villa's John McGinn nearly gifted Brentford an opener, they gained momentum and created several chances, with Youri Tielemans playing a key role in the buildup. Villa's defense held strong against a Brentford side that struggled to create significant scoring opportunities, with their best chance being a shot that struck the post late in the game. Brentford's home woes continued, as they remain winless in their last eight matches at home across all competitions. This win is particularly significant for Villa as it follows a Champions League fixture, a rare achievement for the club.