Lucas Digne came off the bench to score a late winner as Aston Villa sealed a thrilling 3-2 win over Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday. The visitors took a two-goal lead into the break after Ollie Watkins bagged himself a brace but the Hatters stormed back in the second half with goals from Tahith Chong and Carlton Morris. However, Villa would not be denied as Digne netted late on.
Substitute Lucas Digne struck a last-minute winner as Aston Villa bolstered their top-four hopes with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Luton Town after the struggling Hatters had threatened a sensational comeback.
Unai Emery’s Villans had looked to be cruising to three points when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring on 24 minutes after heading home from a corner.
The England striker then doubled the away side’s lead seven minutes prior to the break when he slotted Douglas Luiz’s quick free-kick in off the far post to net his 16th league goal of the campaign.
Luton responded in the second half and deservedly pulled one back when Tahith Chong bundled in from close range on 66 minutes.
Morris then guided a beauty of a volley into the far corner six minutes later to drag Rob Edwards’ men level, but the hosts suffered late heartache when Digne snuck in at the death to nod home.
The result sees Villa consolidate their position in fourth spot, five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham having played a game more. Luton failed to take advantage of earlier defeats for Everton and Nottingham Forest and remain four points adrift of safety in 18th place.
Next up, Villa visit Ajax in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday prior to hosting Tottenham on Sunday. Luton are at Crystal Palace next Saturday.
This was a rollercoaster showing from Emery’s men but the late drama ensured they made it four league wins from their last five at the expense of a Luton outfit feeling the squeeze of some injuries to key men.
The win means the push on two fronts remains very much on for The Villans with the week ahead providing potentially huge moments in their season both home and abroad.
First up is the Europa Conference League eound of 16 first leg at Ajax prior to a crunch contest in their bid to return to Europe’s top table next season for the first time since 1982-83. Indeed, the Villans host fifth-placed Tottenham in the PL on Sunday knowing a win would put them firmly in the box seat for the Champions League places.
As for Luton, it was another painful loss in which they again showed incredible spirit to fight back. The survival bid remains alive but they will need to stop giving opponents a head start if they are to pick up the points to catch the sides above them.
A lively display from the striker as he terrorised the Luton defence in the inside-right channel in a dominant first 45. The forward was less conspicuous after the break but he took his goals in predatory fashion and has more goal involvements than any other PL player so far in 2023-24, which is now his most prolific season in a Villa shirt.
LUTON TOWN: Kaminski 8, Bell n/a, Burke 6, Mengi 6, Kabore 6, Barkley 8, Burke 6, Doughty 8, Townsend 6, Morris 8, Chong 8. Subs: Ogbene 7, Hashioka 7, Mpanzu n/a
ASTON VILLA: Martinez 7, Cash 7, Konsa 7, Lenglet 7, Moreno 7, McGinn 8, Tielemans 7, Luiz 8, Bailey 8, Watkins 9, Ramsey 7. Subs: Rogers 7, Digne 8, Iroegbunam 6, Diaby 7, Zaniolo 6.
Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary
24’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-1 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Villa’s main hitman is left free to power a header from a right-wing corner in at the near post.
38’ – GOAL! – Luton 0-2 Aston Villa: (Watkins). Watkins beats Luton’s high line and almost casually slides the ball in off the far post with a composed finish from Luiz’s quick free kick. It’s initially ruled out for offside, but VAR checks and the goal is eventually given!
66’ – GOAL! – Luton 1-2 Aston Villa: (Chong). The Hatters are back in it. Villa fail to adequately deal with a right-wing corner. Morris keeps it alive at the back stick and Chong is there to bundle home from close range.
72’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-2 Aston Villa: (Morris). It’s all square! Morris arrives at the far post to guide a lovely volley into the far corner from Doughty’s left-wing free kick.
89’ – GOAL! – Luton 2-3 Aston Villa: (Digne). It’s heartbreak for the hosts as substitute Digne sneaks in at the back post to nod in Diaby’s lovely cross.
