  We develop a general approach to simplify the derivation of the holographic
Weyl anomaly. As an application, we derive the holographic Weyl anomaly from
general higher derivative gravity in asymptotically $AdS_{5}$ and $AdS_{7}$.
Interestingly, to derive all the central charges of 4d and 6d CFTs, we make no
use of equations of motion. Following Myers' idea, we propose a formula of
holographic entanglement entropy for higher derivative gravity in
asymptotically $AdS_5$. Applying this formula, we obtain the correct universal
term of entanglement entropy for 4d CFTs. It turns out that our formula is the
leading term of Dong's proposal in asymptotically $AdS_5$. Since only the
leading term contributes to the universal log term, we actually prove that
Dong's proposal yields the correct universal term of entanglement entropy for
4d CFTs. This is a nontrivial test of Dong's proposal.
