John McGinn hopes Ollie Watkins 'shuts a few people up' after Aston Villa win

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John McGinn hopes Ollie Watkins' first goal of the campaign in Aston Villa's 3-1 triumph over Fulham "shuts a few people up." The striker had drawn a blank in his opening five Premier League outings but managed to level matters for Villa against Fulham moments before the interval with a superb finish.

Racing onto Lucas Digne's delivery over the defence, Watkins then chipped Bernd Leno with masterful accuracy.

"He has had a lot of criticism in recent weeks but what he will get from us as team-mates and staff is love and support," McGinn told BBC Match of the Day. "What he has given us in recent seasons is nothing short of brilliant.

"He always has a spell in the season when it doesn't quite click for him but he runs a lot and he works hard and then when he gets the ball you expect that he will score. Hopefully that shuts a few people up.", reports Birmingham Live .

Villa, who had fallen behind in the third minute to Raul Jimenez, completed the fightback four minutes into the second half as McGinn netted in back-to-back matches, blasting home from the edge of the box.

Emi Buendia, who entered the fray at the break, then stretched Villa's advantage by tucking away Watkins' delivery from the left flank.

"Delighted but relieved at the same time," McGinn confessed. "It has been a very poor start to the season. To lose here 3-0 in the last home game was tough to take. We actually started well and then we reacted really well to conceding at the corner.

"It is not an easy place to play when the crowd are on your back but then when you get momentum, what a place it is to play. It was important to show belief and confidence in each other. What a win and what a huge show of character for us.

"It can change quickly [form] but we are not getting carried away. We have turned a little corner the last few games but that doesn't mean anything. It's about recovering now and then back here next Sunday to try and pick up another win in the league."

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