WAT A SETBACK FOR GOAL HERO

OLLIE WATKINS solved one headache for boss Unai Emery but left him with another.

The England international nodded home the all-important opening goal as Aston Villa cruised into the last eight of a European competition for the first time in 26 years.

Watkins (above, celebrating) met Douglas Luiz’s corner and guided a superb header into the net as Jordan Henderson and Co paid the price for second-rate marking.

But the 25th-minute strike – his 22nd of the campaign – was to be his final contribution as he was substituted just a few minutes later (right).

The forward jarred his left knee in a challenge, chasing down a ball that was momentarily mis-controlled by keeper Diant Ramaj.

He was cautioned for the foul on the Ajax No.1 but the fall-out from that incident could have far-reaching repercussions for Villa.

Their campaign has already been hit by longterm injuries to Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara – and a three-match ban for skipper John McGinn has ramped up the pressure. That goal at least put distance between Villa and the Dutch giants and Leon Bailey put the tie beyond their reach on the hour.

McGinn intercepted a stray pass infield, switched the ball to Luiz who fed the Jamaica international on the right. His double step-over defeated defender Jorrel Hato and his finish looked to have ended the contest.

A few minutes later, it was over. Sivert Mannsverk tugged Jhon Duran’s shirt as the substitute chased a ball over the top and received his second booking.

Villa had not finished in front of goal, however. Moussa Diaby pounced on a loose ball and two Ajax defenders charged into one another, leaving Duran to thump a shot over the goalline via the crossbar.

Eight minutes from time Villa added a fourth when Diaby cut in from the right, taking advantage of Borna Sosa’s tiredness, and slammed home a shot inside keeper Ramaj’s near post.

ASTON VILLA: Martinez 6, Cash 6, Carlos 6 (Lenglet 74), Torres 6, Moreno 6; Luiz 7, (Kellyman 83) McGinn 7; Rogers 5, (Tielemans 46, 5) Diaby 6, Bailey 8 (Iroegbunam 74), Watkins 6 (Duran 32, 6) AJAX: Ramaj 5, Sutalo 5, (Gaaei 69, 5) Hato 6, Kaplan 5 (Akpom 39, 5) Sosa 5; Rensch 5 (Tahirovic 79), Mannsverk 4, Henderson 7, Taylor 6, Hlynson 5, Brobbey 5