Ollie Watkins takes ‘offence’ to off-the-pitch Aston Villa incident
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton says he can fully understand the reaction from Ollie Watkins after scoring a late winner for Aston Villa in Sunday’s (17 December) 2-1 win at Brentford.
Watkins struck in the 85th minute at the Gtech Community Stadium, shortly after Alex Moreno had cancelled out Keane Lewis-Potter’s opener in a feisty game that also saw two players sent off.
The England international stood in the net pointing at a Brentford supporter, which he later explained was down to being verbally abused by the fan in question.
As per BBC Sport [18 December], the Metropolitan Police is now looking into the incident involving Watkins, who previously spent three years on the Bees’ books.
Hutton believes Watkins’ reaction, plus the way Villa fought back late on from a goal down to climb into third place in the Premier League, only highlights their change in mentality under Unai Emery.
“I understand it,” he told Villa News when asked about Watkins’ controversial celebration. “I used to play at full-back so I was right next to the crowd all the time and you’d get battered by fans – absolutely hammered.
“I would more often than not just laugh it off, but he took offence to something that was said. The biggest thing he could do was score a goal, which is what he did.
“It is what it is – it’s part of the game. It’s up to him how he reacts to it. If you’re going to give it out, sometimes you have to be able to take it.
“But it seemed after that moment there were a few different flare-ups; a few bits that arose from that one incident.
“Sometimes that happens and you just have to deal with it. That’s where I feel the mentality of this Villa team has really improved in dealing with these situations better.”
In other Aston Villa news, a fringe player could be in line for more minutes over the festive period following comments made by Emery.