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Ollie Watkins has questions to answer after 0% first half flop for Aston Villa v Wolves
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has questions to answer for Unai Emery at halftime as his side struggles at 0-0 against Wolves.
The Villans’ first half at Molineux was nothing to write home about and they looked a long way from the side that battered Brighton in their last Premier League encounter.
While the opening period of the game was swinging in Emery’s favour, Gary O’Neil’s side emerged as the stronger outfit, creating better chances to go ahead and managing to maintain possession for longer periods.
Villa struggled to get the ball in the opposition’s box after the first 20 minutes, while Watkins didn’t manage to get a shot at all in their hopeful opening.
Just ahead of this game, Watkins signed a new five-year contract at the club, and his quality and impressive record for Aston Villa have certainly justified this deal. However, he will be disappointed that this first half was his first outing under his new terms.
The Villans trudged into the dressing room at half time at 0-0, knowing that they were capable of much more even against a rejuvenated Wolves side. Per SofaScore, Watkins had a 50% per cent success rate for aerial duels (1/2), 0 per cent long ball accuracy (0/1) and no key passes.
He struggled to get on the ball at all and proved ineffective throughout the first half. With just three accurate passes and 12 touches overall, Emery would be frustrated at his striker’s impact.
While none of the Villa front line did much, Watkins lost possession six times, suggesting his inability to maintain possession cost his side some attacking opportunities.
Emery will be demanding more from all his men, but Watkins has plenty to do in the second.
In other Aston Villa news, a senior first-team player recently risked being out for 3 months with a leg break and artery damage.