The Villans were seemingly coasting to three points as they let a 2-0 lead slip before fighting back to draw 3-3 and at least salvage a point in their quest for Champions League football.
While it was hugely disappointing on a collective level, England striker Ollie Watkins continued a fine season with a brace in the game.
After the game, a frustrated Watkins said Villa lacked a “big team mentality” (Birmingham Mail, 6 April). Liverpool great Graeme Souness, writing in the Daily Mail’s Football pull out (13 April, pg 7) credited Watkins for what he did, though it did come with a word of caution.
“I like that Ollie Watkins was prepared to dig out his own Aston Villa teammates last week after their 3-3 draw with Brentford. I just hope he told them to their faces first,” Souness wrote.
“You would hope he has addressed the players first and told them his feelings before going on TV. If he has gone straight to the media and not spoken to his teammates before that then players will resent that and there will be consequences. I’m all for telling a few home truths, it makes a group stronger. But experience tells you it may be not be best done in public.”
Ollie Watkins impressed for Aston Villa v Brentford
In fairness to Watkins, his own personal performance stood up against Brentford – his former club.
In stats provided by SofaScore, he finished with 100 per cent shots on target (2) and scored from both of them, while 13 of his 17 passes attempted were accurate (76 per cent).
Watkins battled well in the duels too, winning four of five on the ground and 3 of five in the air and drawing three fouls for his side.
Where he did not quite excel was creating for his teammates. Watkins has been a valuable source of assists as well as goals this season but he failed to make a single key pass nor did he provide a single accurate cross.
Can Ollie Watkins be Aston Villa tormentor v Arsenal?
Watkins’ frustrations post Brentford were probably exacerbated by the knowledge things don’t get any easier this weekend as Villa travel to title challengers Arsenal on Sunday (14 April).
The 28-year-old has a pretty good record against the Gunners, though, scoring four times against them in eight career appearances (three wins, five defeats – transfermarkt).
Back in Novemeber 2020, Watkins actually scored twice in a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium and his pace and ability to stretch the lines could be crucial in tormenting a formidable Arsenal defence.
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa, Graeme Souness, Daily Mail
Graeme Souness was writing about Aston Villa ace Ollie Watkins in the Daily Mail.
His performance in the reverse fixture this season, which Villa won 1-0 on December 9, was not exactly his best. He managed just one shot on target, while having another one blocked, and failed to play any key passes (sofascore).
Moreover, he won only three of 12 duels and lost possession on 18 occasions as he struggled on a day where Villa otherwise impressed.
But he can use that as fuel to torment the Gunners this time and his creative ability on the counter-attack might end up being a crucial weapon as Villa go in search of a memorable double.
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