OLLIE WATKINS hobbled his way into Aston Villa folklore as he set Unai Emery’s men up for their first European quarter-final since 1998.
Then limped off to a hero’s send off with little more than 30 minutes on the clock!
GettyOllie Watkins shows his dejection as he departs injured[/caption]
EPAJust minutes earlier the striker shared the delight of heading the opener[/caption]
ReutersVilla scorer Watkins had to go off injured after 33 minutes[/caption]
That was all the time the Villa icon required to grab his 22nd goal of a sensational season as he put Ajax to the sword on his one remaining good leg!
Leon Bailey doubled Villa’s lead on the hour as he bamboozled kid defender Jorrel Hato with a double stepover before sliding the ball beyond Diant Ramaj, after Sivert Mannsverk had gifted Villa possession.
And the Ajax midfielder capped a miserable night for himself when he hauled Jhon Duran – Watkins‘ replacement – down as he threatened to break clear to earn a second yellow card, followed by red.
Duran then gained revenge with a thunderous third which crashed off the crossbar twice before referee Orel Grinfeeld’s watch monitor flashed to confirm the ball had crossed the line. And Moussa Diaby grabbed a fourth as he cut inside Borna Sosa before lashing the ball home as Villa justified their tag as favourites to win the Conference League. But it was Watkins who started the goal rush to finally break Ajax’s resistance.
Douglas Luiz sent in an outswinging corner and Watkins stole in ahead of teammate Matty Cash to power a header beyond the despairing clutches of Diant Ramaj into the far corner.
All around him shell-shocked Ajax players wondered how they had been suckered into leaving the most dangerous predator on the pitch totally unmarked.
ReutersLeon Bailey hails his goal that doubled Aston Villa’s lead[/caption]
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PALeon Bailey watches his shot make it 2-0 to Villa[/caption]
Ominously for Villa and England boss Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions’ Euro hopeful was clearly still in pain and he limped off seven minutes later to a standing ovation from grateful Villa fans.
Watkins showed true grit to stay on the park after he clattered his left knee sliding in to send Ajax goalie Ramaj crashing, after the keeper dithered following a short goal kick.
After three minutes of treatment Israeli ref Grinfeeld added insult to injury by booking Watkins for taking out Ramaj.
But Villa’s hot hitman more than atoned for his misdemeanour six minutes later with his stunning opener.
Moments earlier Ajax had ridden their luck when Morgan Rogers sent Moussa Diaby clear inside the visitors’ box.
The Villa forward rounded Ramaj but, just as he pulled the trigger the keeper denied him with a desperate sliding tackle to concede the corner from which Villa scored.
Ajax came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when Chuba Akpom set up Brian Brobbey in front of goal.
But the striker’s side foot shot lacked power and Matty Cash was able to clear off the line.
But Villa stepped it up several gears after the break to complete a tough night for Jordan Henderson on his return to England, who was taunted by Villa fans throughout.
EPAStriker Watkins shows the importance of his 25th-minute opener[/caption]
AlamyOllie Watkins put Aston Villa in front with this header[/caption]
ReutersBoss Unai Emery urged Villa on before they ran riot[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
