Villa took a massive step towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League with their 3-1 victory at Club Brugge in midweek.
However, with a number of heavyweights still in the competition and the prospect of a last-eight tie against Liverpool or Paris St-Germain – should they advance past the Belgians – this represented crucial progress domestically.
Villa’s post-Champions League struggles have been well documented this term.
Prior to this fixture they had failed to win their previous seven matches played immediately after a European game, collecting just three points in the process.
So this was a very welcome end to that dismal run.
And that they managed it without their influential goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Marco Asensio, while fielding nine of the side that started at Brugge, was all the more impressive.
Watkins maintained his fine form in front of goal against the side he represented well until 2020 with his sixth goal in six games against Brentford – and 14th of the this season.
While further back down the pitch Disasi celebrated several key tackles exuberantly to suggest he has fully bought into life with the Midlands club in just over a month.
However, it proved a disappointing evening for Brentford, who delivered a rare flat display on home soil.
While they applied some late pressure, boss Frank will likely be unhappy with what his team served up and their lack of chances.
Brentford appeared too passive for long periods and Villa’s winner arrived when Watkins was allowed to run unopposed into their penalty area by Collins, who was then stationary as the ball clipped off him and into the back of his own goal. Keeper Flekken might well feel he could have done better too.
