Watkins, who has hit a strong run of form, struck twice and recorded an assist in the seven-goal thriller at Villa Park to record a week-high player rating of 9.2.
The England international nodded in the opener and repeated the trick to restore Villa's lead later in the first half.
He then fed in Morgan Rogers to extend Villa's advantage early in the second half.
Watkins now has nine goal involvements in his last eight games across all competitions, finding the net seven times.
Fourth-placed Villa are next in action on Saturday lunchtime when they travel to face Fulham.