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.

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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.

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

In midfield, Boubacar Kamara could make his first start since returning from injury and partner Youri Tielemans. John McGinn could then push further forward, while Marco Asensio starts as the number 10 and Morgan Rogers off the left. Predicted Villa XI: Martinez, Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.

Ollie Watkins returned to haunt former club Brentford with the decisive strike as Aston Villa recorded a 1-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium. The England striker, who left west London in 2020, was subjected to jeers by the home fans as his clinical finish saw Villa continue their hunt for European qualification.

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.