Africans Shine as Watford Defeat Aston Villa


It took Nigeria’s Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure just ten minutes to hit the ground running on his Premier League debut as Watford featured five Africans in the defeat of Aston Villa.

The Hornets proved superior in the game, outthinking, outmuscling and outwitting the visitors in the first half of the encounter as they raced to a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from the Nigerian and Senegalese star, Ismaila Sarr.

Xisco Munoz started the game with all three Super Eagles players in his squad including the assistant captain of the Nigerian national team, William Troost-Ekong, midfielder Oghnekaro Etebo and attacker, Bonaventure.

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The game also featured Moroccan defender, Adam Masina.

Aston Villa also started with Zimbabwean midfielder, Marvelous Nakamba who completed the African sextet that started the game. 

Watford have made a victorious comeback to the Premier League just after a season of playing in the Championship following their relegation in the 2019/20 season.

The Hornets have since strengthened the team in different areas bringing on Etebo and Bonaventure to add more steel and quality to the side. 

All Africans who featured in the game gave a good account of themselves with Sarr, Dennis and Etebo catching the eye with their displays as the Hornets ran out 3-2 victors.

Kelechi Iheanacho came on as substitute in Leicester’s 1-0 victory against Wolves, with the Foxes new Zambian recruit, Patson Daka not featuring. Daka’s compatriot, and also a newbie to the Premier League, Enoch Mwepu started in Brighton’s 2-1 away victory against Burnley.


Author

  • Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga is a Nigerian journalist with four years of professional experience. She reports on health, gender, education and development, with a focus on impact-driven storytelling.

    She was runner-up for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Best Solutions Journalism Award in West Africa in 2024 and a finalist for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards.

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