Aston Villa analysis: McGinn sets tempo as Watkins finds target
[Getty Images] It is perhaps no coincidence that Aston Villa's recent slump has also coincided with John McGinn missing 10 games with a knee injury. In that time they went out of the FA Cup, and lost three league matches as well as drawing another two. So the Villa captain's presence was a welcome one in midfield and it was not just the Scot who seemed desperate for Villa to get back to winning ways.
Ollie Watkins led the line brilliantly as he tried to show England manager Thomas Tuchel what he is missing. The striker's recent record has been dismal - just one goal in his previous nine matches - but he showed his quality here to push his claims to be England's favoured striker behind only Harry Kane. The sole criticism was that Villa only made one of their 14 chances - the most they have had in a Premier League first half since October 2023 - count by half-time.
The contest was more even in the second half but it never felt like Villa were at risk of throwing away the three points. They have been made to rue missed opportunities of late with the worst shot conversion rate in the league this calendar year. But this was a more efficient display with two goals and a 200th Premier League clean sheet at Villa Park.