Luton Town 2 Aston Villa 3
With only thirteen league matches remaining, time is running out for Luton Town to secure their Premier League survival. They welcomed Aston Villa to Kenilworth Road, knowing home form could be key to their plight of remaining in the top-flight.
The visitors were looking in confident mood as McGinn found Ramsey on the edge of the box. He looked to bend one in the far corner but Kaminski got down well to make a save to prevent his side falling behind early on.
Bailey then spotted the run of Watkins and he managed to get a shot away, under pressure from the defender. The Luton keeper watched it all the way and made another good block to deny Unai Emery’s side, at the cost of a corner.
As the ball was swung in, Watkins met with a header at the near post, leaving Kaminski as a spectator as it nestled in the back of the net. The Hatters were punished for ball watching as no one tracked the run of the Aston Villa striker.
Credit: @AVFCOfficial
He almost added a second as he drilled a shot across the Luton Town keeper, flicking the base of the post as it went wide. Watkins seemed hungry for goals at Kenilworth Road, already eclipsing his best return in the league for The Villains.
Douglas Luiz took a quick free kick, deep in their own half. He spotted the run of Watkins who was completely unmarked. The Aston Villa striker took one touch to control it before stroking the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.
Rob Edwards is able to rile his side up to give anyone a game, often coming back from being behind. The problem is, at this level, you just cannot afford to give teams a head start and their lacklustre defending is doing this all too often.
Chong got forward down the left and was fouled by Cash. Doughty stepped up and put a teasing cross into the back post to pick out Morris. Although he got above his marker, he could not keep his header down as it nestled on top of the goal.
The hosts forced a corner with Burke heading towards goal but Cash did well to clear off the line. Luton recycled the ball at the back post and as Martinez smothered another shot, Chong was on hand to drill his shot into the goal.
Doughty then put in another quality ball from a free kick out wide and Morris volleyed home to bring Edwards’ side level. They had not been in this game at all in the first half but now had the chance to punish the visitors dearly.
Credit: @LutonTown
Morris rose at the back post as Barkley clipped in a brilliant first-time cross. The forward got his header down but it was straight at Martinez. Either side of the keeper and it would have surely been a goal. Big chance missed by The Hatters.
Aston Villa were rocked by having let their two goal lead slip. They came forward desperately looking for a winner and Diaby delivered. His ball into the back post was headed into the bottom corner by Digne with no Luton defender tracking his run.
Luton hearts were broken in the 89th minute but again their Achilles heel was their defending. You will be punished nine times out of ten at the top level if you switch off as they so often do. Emery sprinted down the touchline with memories of Jose Mourinho as the ball went in. Scenes.
The visitors held on for all three points and cemented their place in the top four with Tottenham breathing down their neck. With Ollie Watkins on form, who could bet against them bringing Champions League football to the Midlands.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.