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Ollie Watkins watched the videos to spot the Everton defensive frailty that allowed him to score the winner in Aston Villa’s 1-0 Premier League win at Goodison Park.
England striker Watkins took a pass from Morgan Rogers and slotted past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 51st minute as Villa won away in the league for the first time since the victory over Fulham on October 19.
“He’s a smart player,” Watkins told TNT Sports of midfielder Rogers. “I saw that they were wide open on the counter attack.
“I saw the space, ran into it and Morgan found me. I watched some clips before (and saw) that they always fall.
“I knew there would be such times and spaces in the game; I just had to be patient and wait for the opportunity.”
Wonderful play from Morgan Rogers finds Ollie Watkins to break the Goodison deadlock! 🔥
📺 @tntsports and @otkrićeplusUK pic.twitter.com/k9zCee6Og2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Ollie Watkins goals
Watkins has two goals and two assists in four games since fellow striker Jhon Duran was sent off in Villa’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on December 26.
The 29-year-old has come off the bench in the previous four league games, while the 21-year-old Duran, who has had a prolific run as a substitute, has enjoyed a string of starts.
With Duran back from a three game suspension against Everton, manager Unai Emery had a decision to make and was rewarded with another industrious performance from Watkins.
“I always work hard and run around for the team,” Villa’s top scorer he said after his ninth goal of the 2024/25 season. “Maybe I’m a little too selfless.
“You have to do everything for the team. You don’t know when the next opportunity will present itself; you have to keep your mind in the game and keep that mindset.”
“Today’s clean sheet was very important.”
Unai Emery shares the belief that today’s result will also bring a forward look towards higher goals 🎯
📺 @tntsports and @otkrićeplusUK pic.twitter.com/2IrV2vteR2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Emery: Villa ‘broke the spell’
Emery acknowledged Villa’s need to “break” their “bad spell” away from home. “We had a few clear chances in the first half,” said the Spaniard BBC MOTD.
“We tried to push and take even more control in the second, but we couldn’t. But we scored. This victory is very important.”
Villa could find out if they have turned their travels around when they visit Arsenal on Saturday (5.30pm), where they won 2-0 in April. They then travel to Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday (5.45pm).
