Aston Villa striker makes top-four claim after 'massive' Premier League win

The 1-0 win ensured Unai Emery’s men remain in touch with their top half rivals heading toward the run-in.

Villa still have to play five of their rivals in the race for European football with their next Premier League match away at Brighton, who currently sit one point above them in the standings, on April 2.

Watkins said: “We still have to play Nottingham Forest, we still have to play Newcastle. We have Man City as well. 

“If we win those games we are right up there. We are now focusing on the Champions League but the boss is always telling us to concentrate on the Premier League as the most important competition. 

“If you are consistent in that you can make it into Europe or the Champions League. 

“Especially at home we have let some points slip and then our away form hasn't been great.

“Had we just won a few more we would be where Nottingham Forest are. But we still have nine matches left and I still feel like we can finish in the top four. It is do-able.”

Saturday’s win, which came courtesy of Watkins’ 13th Premier League goal of the season, was just Villa’s second away from home in 10 league matches. It was also the first time since September they have won after playing in the Champions League the previous midweek.

Villa will now prepare for Wednesday’s last-16 second leg against Club Brugge in that competition.

Watkins continued: “When you are playing teams who aren't playing in midweek, who can train all week and are definitely fresher, it can be demanding. 

“The Champions League games are tough and then to travel, not have too much recovery in between and then play against a team like Brentford is tough. 

“It shows in the results. It has been something the last couple of years we have struggled with it.

“I think you saw in the first half we looked a little bit tired maybe and that is where we should be at our freshest. 

“But I think in the first half we ground it out and in the second half we got the goal. Three points, clean sheet, a good day.”

Watkins made it six goals in his last six appearances against Brentford when his 49th minute shot took a slight deflection off defender Nathan Collins and went underneath goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

The England international also saw an assist chalked off by a VAR check for the second successive match in London, after he thought he had set-up Morgan Rogers to double the lead, while Flekken also denied him a second late on.

“It was a massive win, at a tough place to come,” said Watkins. “We don't have another Premier League game now for a while so it was massive and it puts us seven points clear of Brentford which is big compared to some of the other positions.”