Ollie Watkins puts seal on Villa’s win over West Ham after England omission
The Guardian · 2026-03-22 · archive
While Ollie Watkins gave the most articulate response to his omission from the England squad with the goal that clinched this confirmation of Aston Villa’s place in the top four, ending their three-game losing sequence in the Premier League, the most rousing noise around Villa Park arrived when Youri Tielemans replaced John McGinn a minute earlier. The whole of the ground took to their feet and cheered the Belgian’s name more loudly than anyone else’s as he made his return after two months out with an ankle injury.On a day when McGinn, Villa’s inspirational captain, followed up his opening goal...
The Story So Far
West Ham United suffered a Premier League defeat at Villa Park as Aston Villa secured a victory to climb into the division's top four. The home side took the lead through their captain, John McGinn, helping to end a recent sequence of three consecutive losses. The result was eventually confirmed by a goal from Ollie Watkins, who scored shortly after being omitted from the latest England international squad. In addition to the scoring, the match saw the return of Youri Tielemans, who replaced McGinn as a substitute following a two-month absence due to an ankle injury. The Hammers were unable to find a response during the encounter.
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