CHAMPIONS FATIGUE.. YOU'RE HAVING A LAUGH

Watkins: We have found the cure for our Euro hangovers

- BY STEVE JUDGE

OLLIE WATKINS believes Aston Villa are finally getting to grips with grinding out results in the Premier League in the aftermath of playing in the Champions League.

The Aston Villa striker handled the early evening boos at former club Brentford to deliver a much-needed three points after the highs of the 3-1 win at Club Brugge in their last-16 first-leg tie last Tuesday.

It ended a run of seven games without a top-flight win after playing in Europe this season. Watkins admitted Villa struggled with playing three times a week while performing in the Conference League last season.

And that situation has intensified playing in Europe's premier club competition, with all the added energy-sapping attention that comes with playing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights instead of Thursdays.

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