Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans runs into position during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Chelsea, at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.

Ollie Watkins proved the difference as Aston Villa got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Both sides struggled in a cagey first half, though Tyrone Mings poked a shot straight at Mark Flekken before Ethan Pinnock deflected Youri Tielemans’ header onto the roof of the net.

Villa made statements of intent in the January transfer window, signing Axel Disasi, Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan to help their push for a higher league finish. It would appear that the club already have an eye on the coming summer transfer window too.

Youri Tielemans put in a commanding performance for Aston Villa as they came away with a valuable 3-1 first-leg victory in Belgium.

Aston Villa secured a Premier League (PL) victory in a match immediately following a UEFA Champions League fixture for the first time since September with a 1-0 win over Brentford, who are now winless at home in eight matches in all competitions.

Liverpool make three changes from their midweek win against PSG, with Nunez, Jones and Tsimikas coming into the team for Jota, Mac Allister and Robertson.

Paul Merson gives his verdict on three of Aston Villa's in-form players, namely Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Youri Tielemans.

Aston Villa beat Brentford 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday to boost their Champions League qualification hopes

Villa finally cracked their Champions League curse as Ollie Watkins’ goal earned them an important victory at Brentford.

A second-half goal from Ollie Watkins against his former team proved to be the difference as Aston Villa picked up a much-needed Premier League victory over Brentford. Villa ran out 1-0 winners at the Gtech Community Stadium courtesy of Watkins’ strike on 49-minutes to give Unai Emery’s side just a second league win in eight games.

Brentford lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening, as former Bees striker Ollie Watkins netted the only goal of the game at Gtech Community Stadium.The Villa striker's

Watkins opened the scoring three minutes after half-time. A Ramsey pass sent the former Bee down the left, which saw him carry the ball a long way, before firing low towards Flekken's near post. The shot took a slight deflection off Collins' leg before it went through the keeper's legs and into the back of the net.