Aston Villa delivered a powerful statement of intent in the race for Champions League football with a dramatic 4-3 victory away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night. The hero of the hour was striker Ollie Watkins, whose first-half brace ended a prolonged goal drought and sparked a crucial comeback win.
Watkins Ends Drought in Seven-Goal Thriller
The match at the Amex Stadium was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Ollie Watkins, who had scored just once in his previous 19 appearances, silenced his critics with two vital goals before half-time to pull Villa level at 2-2. His first came in the 37th minute, finishing a delivery from Ian Maatsen, before he raced onto a superb pass from Morgan Rogers to drill home his second.
Villa's momentum carried into the second period. Amadou Onana completed the turnaround to make it 3-2, before Donyell Malen added what seemed a decisive fourth goal. Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke set up a nervy finale with a late strike, but Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot made a crucial stoppage-time save to deny Danny Welbeck and secure three precious points.
A Major Boost for Villa's Top-Four Ambitions
This victory, achieved in such a resilient and attacking manner, is a significant boost for Unai Emery's side. It cements their position in the Premier League's top four heading into a massive weekend clash with league leaders Arsenal. The return to form of Watkins is arguably the most positive takeaway, as Villa had previously been relying heavily on goals from midfield and set-pieces during his dry spell.
Prior to this match, Villa's impressive run of 11 wins in 13 games had been achieved largely without a consistent threat from their main striker. Watkins' only goal in that period was an equaliser against Fulham. His rediscovery of scoring touch, therefore, could not be more timely as the fixture list becomes increasingly congested.
Looking Ahead to the Festive Fixtures
With confidence restored and their talisman back among the goals, Aston Villa now approach the demanding festive schedule in a strong position. The character shown to win away at Brighton, having twice come from behind, demonstrates a mentality capable of sustaining a Champions League challenge. All eyes will now be on whether Watkins can maintain this form and fire Villa to a coveted top-four finish this season.
