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OLLIE WATKINS hobbled his way into Aston Villa folklore as he set Unai Emery’s men up for their first European quarter-final since 1998.
He then limped off to a hero’s send off with little more than 30 minutes on the clock!
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After three minutes of treatment Israeli ref Grinfeeld added insult to injury by booking Watkins for taking out Ramaj.
But Villa‘s hot hitman more than atoned for his misdemeanour six minutes later with his stunning opener.
Moments earlier Ajax had ridden their luck when Morgan Rogers sent Moussa Diaby clear inside the visitors’ box.
The Villa forward rounded Ramaj but, just as he pulled the trigger the keeper denied him with a desperate sliding tackle to concede the corner from which Villa scored.
Ajax came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when Chuba Akpom set up Brian Brobbey in front of goal.
But the striker’s side foot shot lacked power and Matty Cash was able to clear off the line.
But Villa stepped it up several gears after the break to complete a tough night for Jordan Henderson on his return to England, who was taunted by Villa fans throughout.
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Ominously for Villa and England boss Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions’ Euro hopeful was clearly still in pain and he limped off seven minutes later to a standing ovation from grateful Villa fans.
Watkins showed true grit to stay on the park after he clattered his left knee sliding in to send Ajax goalie Ramaj crashing, after the keeper dithered following a short goal kick.
After three minutes of treatment Israeli ref Grinfeeld added insult to injury by booking Watkins for taking out Ramaj.
But Villa’s hot hitman more than atoned for his misdemeanour six minutes later with his stunning opener.
Moments earlier Ajax had ridden their luck when Morgan Rogers sent Moussa Diaby clear inside the visitors’ box.
The Villa forward rounded Ramaj but, just as he pulled the trigger the keeper denied him with a desperate sliding tackle to concede the corner from which Villa scored.
Ajax came close to equalising on the stroke of half-time when Chuba Akpom set up Brian Brobbey in front of goal.
But the striker’s side foot shot lacked power and Matty Cash was able to clear off the line.
But Villa stepped it up several gears after the break to complete a tough night for Jordan Henderson on his return to England, who was taunted by Villa fans throughout.
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