Aston Villa have one positive to take from their disappointing draw against Brentford as one star was named in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week.
Last week was a tough one for Aston Villa, who gained one point from a possible six after losing against Manchester City in midweek and drawing with Brentford on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side threw away the chance to take a crucial three points from the Bees in the race for the top four however, the hosts were their own worst enemy in the contest.
After going 2-0 up at Villa Park, a nine-minute lapse in concentration saw the visitors take the lead, scoring three times in the second half to turn the game on its head.
Luckily, Ollie Watkins was there to save Aston Villa once more, scoring a late equaliser to ensure that his side had something to show for their early efforts.
Despite it being a particularly frustrating afternoon for the Villans, one player earned a spot in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week.
Which Aston Villa player made Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week?
Two players stuck out as Villa’s top performers against Brentford, both being the goalscorers as Morgan Rogers netted his first for Villa in impressive style.
It was, however, Watkins who was named in Shearer’s Team of the Week after Matchweek 32, whom the Premier League’s record scorer dubbed as a “handful” for Brentford to deal with on the day.
“While it was a poor result for Villa, he was such a handful for Brentford’s defence and showed excellent instincts for both goals.”
Watkins’ two goals saw him claim his 17th and 18th of the Premier League season, taking his goal contribution tally to 28, more than any other player in the league.
Ollie Watkins has been Aston Villa’s shining light this season
Not only is Watkins rising to prominence at Villa and in the Premier League, but is finally getting his flowers as one of the best forwards in Europe.
The Englishman is currently the third-highest contributor to goals in Europe’s top five leagues, with only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe recording more goals and assists so far this season – not bad company to be in.
It’s been an impeccable campaign for the 28-year-old, who with six games left to play in the Premier League, will have his eyes set on becoming Villa’s highest-scoring player in a league season, with the current record sitting at 19.
Christian Benteke netted 19 goals in the 2012/13 season, meaning Watkins needs just one goal to equal the record and two goals to break it and become the first-ever Villan to hit the 20-goal milestone in the Premier League.
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