Villa’s Watkins: Beating Arsenal was a big deal

Ollie Watkins was buzzing after proving the matchwinner for Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.

Former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez started the move which led to Bertrand Traore pouncing on a mistake by Cedric Soares before Watkins scored with a shot that deflected off Rob Holding.

Boyhood Gunners fan Ryan, signed on loan from Brighton in January and starting in place of suspended first-choice keeper Bernd Leno, produced a fine save to deny Traore a goal on his return to the Villa side.

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Martinez frustrated his former club further when the Argentine produced an excellent save to keep out Granit Xhaka’s free-kick.

Villa move up to eighth in the Premier League with Arsenal in 10th.

Watkins said, “It’s a big result. We’ve played some good stuff but not got the results so delighted today. We had to grind it out and that’s what it’s all about.

“We were a bit off it against West Ham and they punished us for that so we needed a big reaction and we showed that out there.

“We have to just focus on the next game. Europe is a long way away, hopefully, we just keep plugging away and see where we are at the end of the season.”

On his goal, he added: “There was a bit of confusion from Arsenal at the back, I hit it with my left foot and it hit a defender and went in.”