Ollie Watkins called Aston Villa’s win at home to third-bottom West Ham “massive” after the striker scored for the first time in seven Premier League matches to help the fourth-placed side move a point behind Manchester United.
In a week when he was left out of England’s squad, Watkins slid in Villa’s second in the 68th minute after Mads Hermansen could not hold Morgan Rogers’s shot.
“All the teams around us played before and dropped points, so we knew the job at hand,” Watkins said (via Villa’s website), referencing defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea immediately below the Villans and a draw for United at Bournemouth.
“We’ve taken that and maximised our opportunity to push on and get into those Champions League spots.”
Captain John McGinn continued his return to form following injury with the long-range opener in the 15th minute.
Watkins was initially awarded a penalty for a challenge from Konstantinos Mavropanos after the first goal, only for a Video Assistant Referee check to change the decision.
“We have a LOT of work to do”
Nuno Espirito Santo admits the better side came out on top as the relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League intensifies 😬 pic.twitter.com/3JCRx4ZWzP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 22, 2026
With fifth place in the Premier League likely to ensure Champions League qualification this season, Villa are six points above sixth-placed Chelsea with a 10-goal inferiority to the Blues.
West Ham would have moved out of the relegation zone with victory but are a point behind Tottenham with an 11-goal inferiority.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 1 | Arsenal | 31 | 21 | 7 | 3 | +39 | 70 |
| 2 | Man City | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | +32 | 61 |
| 3 | Man United | 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | +13 | 55 |
| 4 | Villa | 31 | 16 | 6 | 9 | +5 | 54 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 31 | 14 | 7 | 10 | +8 | 49 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | +15 | 48 |
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
