Futbor
Ollie Watkins ended his goal drought to help Aston Villa secure a long-awaited league win, easing pressure and restoring belief at Villa Park. For manager Unai Emery, the result also snapped a winless spell in the league, a timely lift as his side look to reset their campaign and reassert themselves in the top half.
Watkins’ sharp finish was a reward for persistent movement and calm decision-making in the box. More than the goal, his display quietened doubts around Villa’s attack and underlined his broader value: smart link-up play, hard pressing, and runs that create space for teammates.
Emery will be encouraged by the collective discipline. A tighter defensive shape and better control in midfield provided a platform, while the tempo in transitions returned after weeks where confidence seemed to ebb. The basics were back—intensity, clarity, and purpose.
The challenge now is consistency. Villa must convert this release of pressure into momentum, especially in the next run of league fixtures. If Watkins stays confident and Emery’s structure holds, Villa have the tools to build a sequence that pulls them back toward European contention.