Ollie Watkins watched videos to spot the Everton defensive weakness that allowed him to score the winner in Aston Villa’s 1-0 Premier League win at Goodison Park.
England striker Watkins collected Morgan Rogers’ pass and headed past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 51st minute as Villa won in the league for the first time since their victory against 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 counterattack.
“I saw the space, came across it and Morgan found me. I have already watched some clips [and saw] that they always fall.
“I knew there would be moments like that and space in the game; I just had to be patient and wait for the opportunity.
A great play from Morgan Rogers finds Ollie Watkins to break the deadlock at Goodison! 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK 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 compatriot Jhon Duran was sent off in Villa’s 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on December 26.
The 29-year-old had come off the bench in the previous four league matches, while Duran, 21, who had enjoyed a prolific run as a substitute, had enjoyed a series of starts.
As Duran returned from his three-match suspension against Everton, manager Unai Emery had a decision to make and was rewarded with another hard-working display from Watkins.
“I always work hard and race for the team” Villa top scorer » said after his ninth goal of the 2024/25 season. “Maybe I’m a little too selfless.
“You have to do anything 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.
“The clean sheet today was very important.”
Unai Emery shares confidence that today’s result will bring and eyes higher goals 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/2IrV2vteR2
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
Emery: The villa “broke the spell”
Emery recognized Villa’s need to “break” his “bad spell” away from home. “We had clear chances in the first half,” said the Spaniard. BBC MOTD.
“We tried to attack and take more control in the second, but we couldn’t do it. But we scored. This victory is very important.
Villa will perhaps find out if they have turned a corner in their journey when they visit Arsenal on Saturday (5.30pm), where they won 2-0 in April. They will then travel to Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday (5:45 p.m.).
