This was Ollie Watkins’ 116th match for club and country since the start of last season and by the final whistle the 29-year-old match-winner could barely move, even gesturing to the bench he should come off to eat up more time as Villa clung onto victory with 10 men.
Unai Emery’s men are digging very deep in their bid to return to the Champions League having been 10th at the end of February, and a run of seven wins in eight league games has put them right in the mix.
Two more mighty efforts are needed against Tottenham and Manchester United, both of them distracted by the Europa League, but Watkins is already proud at the team’s achievements this season.