Watkins returns to haunt Brentford and boost Villa's European push

LONDON :Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins returned to haunt his old club Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, scoring the only goal of the game to boost his side's push to qualify for Europe next season.

Watkins, booed by the Bees fans throughout after celebrating a late winner in this fixture last season, broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a deflected effort that went straight through goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

The England striker thought he had helped to double the lead almost immediately afterwards when he teed up Morgan Rogers but the goal was disallowed as Watkins was marginally offside.

The reprieve gave Brentford the momentum, with Keane Lewis-Potter hitting the post shortly after the otherwise impressive Axel Disasi slipped and brought down Kevin Schade inside the box but referee Jarred Gillett was unmoved.

Lewis-Potter said it was "definitely a penalty", telling Sky Sports: "He clears him out. I have spoken to lads who have seen it back and it is a pen. VAR need to check that."

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank agreed, saying: "Disasi's clearly taken him (Schade) out." Villa boss Unai Emery, however, told reporters it was "clearly not a penalty".

Villa withstood late pressure to secure the win, only their second in eight league games, which puts them seventh on 45 points from 29 games – two points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, though having played a game more.

The victory, following Tuesday's 3-1 win at Club Brugge, was also only the second win Villa have recorded in nine games after a midweek Champions League match this season.

Emery was full of praise for goalkeeper Robin Olsen, making his first league start this season in place of the injured Emiliano Martinez.

"To be a substitute for Emiliano