OLLIE’S FIRED UP
OLLIE WATKINS continued his away day heroics to keep Aston Villa’s Champions League bid on track at Fulham.
The 28-year-old frontman struck twice – once in either half – to fire Unai Emery’s injury-hit Villans to another priceless victory on away soil and back into the top four following Tottenham’s shock defeat to Wolves.
England international Watkins has now recorded 13 goal involvements, seven goals and six assists, in 13 topflight away matches this season.
It was also his 23rd goal involvement, 13 goals and 10 assists, in 23 Premier League appearances this term.
Yet this was not just about the brilliance of Watkins as Villa showcased their character, quality and resilience to keep Fulham at bay as they went in search of a late equaliser.
Emi Martinez was instrumental between the sticks and he made an excellent late stop amid some expert time-wasting to deny Adama Traore, while summer signing Youri Tielemans turned in arguably his best showing in a Villa shirt.
It’s the first time Fulham have failed to win a Premier League match they’ve scored in at Craven Cottage this season and that highlights just how valuable these three points could prove to be for Villa.
Watkins and Tim Ream had early goals chalked off for offside before Villa broke the deadlock on 23 minutes following a moment of madness from Antonee Robinson.
The American full-back crazily launched a rushed throw-in that skidded across the face of his own box to the startled Willian, who unsurprisingly miscontrolled and stumbled.
Jacob Ramsey profited, teeing up Watkins to ruthlessly steer home his 12th top-flight goal of the season.
Leon Bailey then relished the chance to inflict more misery on Robinson, nutmegging the defender before striking the crossbar from distance.
Villa had the ball in the net once again before the interval through Alex Moreno but VAR correctly called offside before Bernd Leno made a fine stop to deny Tielemans on the stroke
of half-time. The Belgian would have his say after the break, however, when he slipped through Watkins to slam home his second of the afternoon in emphatic fashion.
But Fulham, refused to throw in the towel as hungry frontman Rodrigo Muniz nipped in ahead of Martinez to prod home his fourth goal in three matches.
Marco Silva’s side hurled the kitchen sink at Villa but they had all the answers as Martinez made several top stops to deny Harry Wilson, Muniz and Traore.
To add insult to injury, Joao Palhinha also picked up his 10th yellow card of the season meaning he will serve a two-match ban, missing games against Manchester United and Brighton.
Lewis Smith, who became the Premier League’s youngest ever referee at 30, was booed off by the home supporters at full-time after waving away several penalty appeals.