aston villa 1 v 4 west ham - dean smith's last home game

 

It proved to be his last home game.

 

The writing was on the wall when West Ham scored with just seven minutes on the clock. A brilliant Ollie Watkins equaliser gave grounds for hope, but then three unanswered goals and a red-card for Ezri Konsa signalled the beginning of the end. He cut a lonely figure as the final whistle went.

 

Thank you Dean for everything you did to bring us back to the Premiership. 

 

 



 

 

 

  

 

 

 

aston villa 2 v watford 1

Talk about leaving it to the last minute!!!

Villa go head-to-head with Watford in what's effectively a six-pointer. The two teams are hovering in or about the relegation zone with just one point separating them. This is a must-win for us.

The game starts promisingly with Villa commanding most of the possession. But wouldn't you know it - Watford's first real attack and up pops Villa nemesis, Troy Deeney to head home a fine cross.  One nil down with half-time approaching.

After the break Villa open in positive fashion, pinning back the Hornets. A combination of dogged defence and blatant time-wasting tactics hold us at bay until at last substitute, Douglas Luiz finds the back of the Watford net and it's game on.

Villa continue to press but the clock's running down. We're five minutes into injury time as new keeper, Pepe Reina lofts a speculative free-kick high into Watford's box. Tyrone Mings gets on the end of it, he's tripped and the ball flies free to Ezri Konsa who fires home. We've won!!!

The goal is subsequently awarded to Mings, but who cares - it's a precious three points.