Ollie Watkins said Aston Villa have ‘big belief’ after beating Tottenham to move above the north Londoners and into the Premier League’s top four.
Watkins scored the winner as Villa came from behind to earn three points at Spurs, a win that lifts Unai Emery’s side into the Champions League places. Giovani Lo Celso’s deflected strike had handed Spurs a first-half lead, but Pau Torres powered home an equaliser on the brink of half-time.
Watkins then found space to score his seventh Premier League goal of the campaign after the break, collecting Youri Tielemans’ pass and firing past Guglielmo Vicario.
Villa have now lost just one of their last nine Premier League games and Watkins said there is real ‘belief’ around the club as Emery’s side pursue a place in next season’s Champions League. Villa will end a Premier League weekend in the top four for the first time since December 2009.
“We didn’t have the best of starts, we were lucky to come in at 1-1. That goal right before half-time was a massive boost for us and it was crucial really,” Watkins told Match of the Day.
“I don’t think there’s been a game where we haven’t created chances. We have a big belief in ourselves. We had plenty of opportunities to score and we came away with the three points, which is massive for us.
“The games are coming thick and fast now but when you’re on a good run, like we are, that’s what you want. I think all the lads are looking forward to it.”
Watkins said Villa would not be ‘getting carried away’ despite their position in the table, but admitted beating Spurs felt like a ‘massive three points’.
“They are where they are in the league because of how they’re playing so a massive three points,” he said to Sky Sports.
“Our away form has not been as good as we can be. I’ve got quite a good record here at Spurs so nice to get another goal.
“It’s unbelievable, a great feeling and we’re playing great football. But we’re not getting carried away. We’re not even at Christmas yet and we have some tough matches coming up so we have to keep going.”
