<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ollie-watkins">Ollie Watkins</a> returned to haunt old club Brentford once more as Aston Villa closed on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/premier-league">Premier League</a>'s top four with a 1-0 win in west London on Saturday.
The England striker has now scored six times in his last six games against the Bees but had Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank for his part in the winner.
Victory lifts Villa up to seventh and within two points of the top four to round off a fine week for Unai Emery's men.&nbsp;After progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend, Villa took a giant stride towards the last eight of the Champions League with a 3-1 away win in the first leg of their last 16 tie against Club Brugge on Tuesday.
"We have to be extremely demanding for the rest of the season," said Emery.
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"Now we are really hungry to play the last two-and-a-half months (of the season). We lost something in our way this year and we have to try to recover it now, especially in the Premier League."
Emery had to cope without the injured Emi Martinez, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/marcus-rashford">Marcus Rashford</a> dropped to the bench in the Spaniard's only two changes from midweek.
Villa had won just one of their last seven Premier League games to place their chances of a Champions League return next season in serious jeopardy.
But they ground out a vital three points as Brentford's prolific forward duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa failed to fire.&nbsp;After a flat first half, the game came to life just four minutes into the second period when Watkins' powerful low shot slipped through Flekken's grasp.
Moments later the visitors thought they had a second as Watkins this time played provider for Morgan Rogers to stroke home.&nbsp;However, a VAR review for offside came to Brentford's rescue.&nbsp;The home side did most of the pressing in the final half hour.
Keane Lewis-Potter came closest to an equaliser when his shot from outside the box hit the post.&nbsp;Villa, though, should have made a nervy finale more comfortable when Watkins raced clean through but got the execution on an attempted chip over Flekken all wrong.
A first away league win in nearly two months brings Villa right back into contention for the Champions League places.&nbsp;A top-five finish is almost certain to be enough due to the strong performance of English sides in European competition this season.
Villa are now just one point outside the top five as five points separate Manchester City in fourth from Fulham in 10th.
<h2>Barca Liga match postponed after club doctor dies</h2>
Barcelona's La Liga match against Osasuna was postponed on Saturday after one of the club's first team doctors died.&nbsp;"Barcelona is sorry to announce the sad news of the death of the first team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia, this afternoon," said the club in a statement.
"For this reason, the match between Barcelona and Osasuna has been postponed until a later date.&nbsp;"The board of directors and all the staff at Barcelona wish to convey our most sincere condolences to his family and friends, we are with them at this difficult time."
Fans had begun entering the Olympic stadium for the league leaders' clash against Osasuna, before it was called off around 20 minutes before the expected kick off at 2000 GMT.
"I still can't believe it, a big hug to the family and friends of Carles," wrote Barcelona midfielder Pedri in a post on social media network Instagram.
The doctor, 53, leaves behind a wife and two children, said Barcelona president Joan Laporta.&nbsp;"This is incredibly painful news for Barcelona, it has left us heartbroken, in shock, because it was so sudden," said Laporta.
"We contacted his mother and his wife, to express our condolences and support them in these incredibly painful moments...
"It is our duty to be there for all of them, his wife, his children, his mother."
The doctor had been working with different Barcelona sides since 2017, and began working with the men's football first team a few months ago.&nbsp;Osasuna president Luis Sabalza said his team had no objection whatsoever to the match being postponed.
"We understand that life is the most important thing and you can't play a game thinking that the person with whom you've lived with for so long is not there any more," he told DAZN.
Osasuna offered their condolences in a post on social media platform X.&nbsp;"Osasuna wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of doctor Carles Minarro Garcia and would like to send a big hug at this difficult time to all the staff of Barcelona, as well as their fans. May he rest in peace," wrote the club.
On Monday Villarreal's game against Espanyol in La Liga was also postponed because of a heavy rain alert in the region.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Football: The England striker has now scored six times in his last six games against the Bees but had Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank for his part in the winner

Ollie Watkins returned to haunt old club Brentford once more as Aston Villa closed on the Premier League's top four with a 1-0 win in west London on Saturday. The England striker has now scored six times in his last six games against the Bees but had Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to thank for his part in the winner. Victory lifts Villa up to seventh and within two points of the top four to round off a fine week for Unai Emery's men. After progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend, Villa took a giant stride towards the last eight of the Champions League with a 3-1 away win in the first leg of their last 16 tie against Club Brugge on Tuesday. "We have to be extremely demanding for the rest of the season," said Emery. Also Read: Bundesliga: Bayern Munich unpunished for shock loss as Bayer Leverkusen fall to defeat "Now we are really hungry to play the last two-and-a-half months (of the season). We lost something in our way this year and we have to try to recover it now, especially in the Premier League." Emery had to cope without the injured Emi Martinez, while Marcus Rashford dropped to the bench in the Spaniard's only two changes from midweek. Villa had won just one of their last seven Premier League games to place their chances of a Champions League return next season in serious jeopardy. But they ground out a vital three points as Brentford's prolific forward duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa failed to fire. After a flat first half, the game came to life just four minutes into the second period when Watkins' powerful low shot slipped through Flekken's grasp. Moments later the visitors thought they had a second as Watkins this time played provider for Morgan Rogers to stroke home. However, a VAR review for offside came to Brentford's rescue. The home side did most of the pressing in the final half hour. Keane Lewis-Potter came closest to an equaliser when his shot from outside the box hit the post. Villa, though, should have made a nervy finale more comfortable when Watkins raced clean through but got the execution on an attempted chip over Flekken all wrong. A first away league win in nearly two months brings Villa right back into contention for the Champions League places. A top-five finish is almost certain to be enough due to the strong performance of English sides in European competition this season. Villa are now just one point outside the top five as five points separate Manchester City in fourth from Fulham in 10th. Barca Liga match postponed after club doctor dies Barcelona's La Liga match against Osasuna was postponed on Saturday after one of the club's first team doctors died. "Barcelona is sorry to announce the sad news of the death of the first team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia, this afternoon," said the club in a statement. "For this reason, the match between Barcelona and Osasuna has been postponed until a later date. "The board of directors and all the staff at Barcelona wish to convey our most sincere condolences to his family and friends, we are with them at this difficult time." Fans had begun entering the Olympic stadium for the league leaders' clash against Osasuna, before it was called off around 20 minutes before the expected kick off at 2000 GMT. "I still can't believe it, a big hug to the family and friends of Carles," wrote Barcelona midfielder Pedri in a post on social media network Instagram. The doctor, 53, leaves behind a wife and two children, said Barcelona president Joan Laporta. "This is incredibly painful news for Barcelona, it has left us heartbroken, in shock, because it was so sudden," said Laporta. "We contacted his mother and his wife, to express our condolences and support them in these incredibly painful moments... "It is our duty to be there for all of them, his wife, his children, his mother." The doctor had been working with different Barcelona sides since 2017, and began working with the men's football first team a few months ago. Osasuna president Luis Sabalza said his team had no objection whatsoever to the match being postponed. "We understand that life is the most important thing and you can't play a game thinking that the person with whom you've lived with for so long is not there any more," he told DAZN. Osasuna offered their condolences in a post on social media platform X. "Osasuna wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of doctor Carles Minarro Garcia and would like to send a big hug at this difficult time to all the staff of Barcelona, as well as their fans. May he rest in peace," wrote the club. On Monday Villarreal's game against Espanyol in La Liga was also postponed because of a heavy rain alert in the region. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Premier League: Watkins haunts Brentford to revive Aston Villa's top-four hopes

Aston Villa climbed to within two points of the Premier League lead as Douglas Luiz struck twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.

Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also on target as Unai Emery's men recorded an 11th consecutive home Premier League win.

Villa have been transformed in just over a year since Emery took charge and showed why they harbour ambitions to qualify for the Champions League for the first time this season.

Luiz is just one of a number of players that are performing at a different level under the Spaniard and continued his scoring streak at Villa Park.

The Brazilian became the first Villa player to score in six consecutive home Premier League games when his strike from the edge of the box had too much power for Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal on 30 minutes.

Emery's men arguably deserved to lead by more than a single goal at half-time.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-2023-nz-vs-ind-better-to-lose-one-game-ravi-shastri-reveals-ms-dhonis-advice-649925">World Cup 2023, NZ vs IND: 'Better to lose...', Ravi Shastri reveals MS Dhoni's advice</a>

But Luiz took the chance to double his side's advantage from the penalty spot early in the second period after Edson Alvarez tripped Ezri Konsa.

Jarrod Bowen reduced West Ham's arrears just five minutes later when his shot spun off Pau Torres into the far corner for his 100th career goal.

However, any hope of a Hammers' fightback was snuffed out by the in-form Watkins.

Fresh from scoring the winner against Australia for England in a rare run out at international level as Harry Kane's understudy, Watkins blasted in his eighth goal of the season from a narrow angle.

Bailey then exemplified the impressive attacking arsenal that Villa have amassed in recent transfer windows.

The Jamaican was left on the bench as Nicolo Zaniolo started despite being the subject of an investigation from Italian prosecutors over a betting scandal.

But Bailey made the most of his 15 minutes on the field as he cut inside Nayef Aguerd with a step over and fired into the top corner.

Villa climb up to fifth in the table, but within striking distance of leaders Manchester City.

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Aston Villa climbed to within two points of the Premier League lead as Douglas Luiz struck twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday. Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also on target as Unai Emery's men recorded an 11th consecutive home Premier League win.

Aston Villa climbed to within two points of the Premier League lead as Douglas Luiz struck twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday. Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were also on target as Unai Emery's men recorded an 11th consecutive home Premier League win. Villa have been transformed in just over a year since Emery took charge and showed why they harbour ambitions to qualify for the Champions League for the first time this season. Luiz is just one of a number of players that are performing at a different level under the Spaniard and continued his scoring streak at Villa Park. The Brazilian became the first Villa player to score in six consecutive home Premier League games when his strike from the edge of the box had too much power for Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal on 30 minutes. Emery's men arguably deserved to lead by more than a single goal at half-time. ALSO READ | World Cup 2023, NZ vs IND: 'Better to lose...', Ravi Shastri reveals MS Dhoni's advice But Luiz took the chance to double his side's advantage from the penalty spot early in the second period after Edson Alvarez tripped Ezri Konsa. Jarrod Bowen reduced West Ham's arrears just five minutes later when his shot spun off Pau Torres into the far corner for his 100th career goal. However, any hope of a Hammers' fightback was snuffed out by the in-form Watkins. Fresh from scoring the winner against Australia for England in a rare run out at international level as Harry Kane's understudy, Watkins blasted in his eighth goal of the season from a narrow angle. Bailey then exemplified the impressive attacking arsenal that Villa have amassed in recent transfer windows. The Jamaican was left on the bench as Nicolo Zaniolo started despite being the subject of an investigation from Italian prosecutors over a betting scandal. But Bailey made the most of his 15 minutes on the field as he cut inside Nayef Aguerd with a step over and fired into the top corner. Villa climb up to fifth in the table, but within striking distance of leaders Manchester City. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Premier League: Aston Villa thrash West Ham 4-1 to close on top four; Watkins, Bailey impress

A&nbsp;&nbsp;superb individual effort by midfielder Jacob Ramsey and a late Ollie Watkins goal gave Aston Villa a 2-0 win at bottom team Norwich City on Tuesday, as home manager Dean Smith suffered defeat against his former club.

Smith took over at Norwich after parting company with Villa last month and the visitors, now managed by former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, missed several chances to win by a bigger margin.

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Norwich looked toothless and their goalkeeper Tim Krul tipped over a long-range effort from John McGinn before Ramsey beat him in the 34th minute with a goal of the highest quality.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
⚽ 𝟯𝟰': <a href="https://twitter.com/JacobRamsey28?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacobRamsey28</a> 
⚽ 𝟴𝟳': Ollie Watkins 
 
Highlights: Norwich City 0-2 Aston Villa! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/14zqTx0saz">pic.twitter.com/14zqTx0saz</a>
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1471036607818092544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Ramsey took a Watkins pass into his stride on the halfway line and after pulling clear of several markers with a darting run, he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-manchester-city-thrashes-leeds-7-0-for-seventh-straight-win-watch-437015">Premier League: Manchester City thrashes Leeds 7-0 for seventh straight win- WATCH</a>

Krul kept out a close-range Watkins header at the far post with a reflex save in the 55th minute but was powerless in the 87th, when the Villa striker was left with a simple tap-in after good work by substitute Carney Chukwuemeka.

The result lifted Villa to ninth place in the standings on 22 points from 17 games while Norwich stayed rooted to the bottom on 10 points.

A superb individual effort by midfielder Jacob Ramsey and a late Ollie Watkins goal gave Aston Villa a 2-0 win at bottom team Norwich City on Tuesday, as home manager Dean Smith suffered defeat against his former club.

A superb individual effort by midfielder Jacob Ramsey and a late Ollie Watkins goal gave Aston Villa a 2-0 win at bottom team Norwich City on Tuesday, as home manager Dean Smith suffered defeat against his former club. Smith took over at Norwich after parting company with Villa last month and the visitors, now managed by former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, missed several chances to win by a bigger margin. ALSO READ | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang removed as Arsenal captain after disciplinary breach Norwich looked toothless and their goalkeeper Tim Krul tipped over a long-range effort from John McGinn before Ramsey beat him in the 34th minute with a goal of the highest quality. ⚽ 𝟯𝟰': @JacobRamsey28 ⚽ 𝟴𝟳': Ollie Watkins Highlights: Norwich City 0-2 Aston Villa! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/14zqTx0saz — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 15, 2021 × Ramsey took a Watkins pass into his stride on the halfway line and after pulling clear of several markers with a darting run, he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. ALSO READ: Premier League: Manchester City thrashes Leeds 7-0 for seventh straight win- WATCH Krul kept out a close-range Watkins header at the far post with a reflex save in the 55th minute but was powerless in the 87th, when the Villa striker was left with a simple tap-in after good work by substitute Carney Chukwuemeka. The result lifted Villa to ninth place in the standings on 22 points from 17 games while Norwich stayed rooted to the bottom on 10 points.

Premier League: Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins help Aston Villa win 2-0 vs bottom-placed Norwich City

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Premier League: Watkins haunts Brentford to revive Aston Villa's top-four hopes

Premier League: Aston Villa thrash West Ham 4-1 to close on top four; Watkins, Bailey impress

Premier League: Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins help Aston Villa win 2-0 vs bottom-placed Norwich City