Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins reacts to Declan Rice message on Arsenal win
Ollie Watkins was left out of Unai Emery’s starting lineup again as Aston Villa were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite beating PSG 3-2 on the night at Villa Park, Emery’s men were defeated 5-4 on aggregate and were unable to book their spot in the Champions League semi-finals.
Villa will turn their attention back to the Premier League when they host fellow top-five hopefuls Newcastle on 19 April.
Meanwhile, Watkins’ England teammate Declan Rice was the star of the show as Arsenal beat holders Real Madrid in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final.
Watkins reacts to Rice’s message as Arsenal beat Real Madrid
Rice captured the attention of the footballing world when he scored two exquisite free-kicks when the Gunners beat Madrid 3-0 at The Emirates on 8 April.
He then put in another top-drawer performance as Mikel Arteta’s men beat Madrid on away soil.
The England international was handed the Player of the Match award in both encounters with Los Blancos and wrote on Instagram: “Back 2 back.”
Watkins gave the post a like.
Villa are set for a crunch clash with Newcastle
Villa have enjoyed a strong run in the Champions League this season, albeit Emery and Co were gutted when they were unable to overturn their deficit against PSG in the quarter-finals.
However, the West Midlands giants will be keen to compete at the top table of European football once again next term, and will have to finish at least fifth in the Premier League to do so.
| Premier League table (3rd-7th) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 3 Newcastle | 32 | 21 | 59 |
| 4 Nottingham Forest | 32 | 13 | 57 |
| 5 Manchester City | 32 | 20 | 55 |
| 6 Chelsea | 32 | 17 | 54 |
| 7 Aston Villa | 32 | 3 | 54 |
Newcastle currently sit third in the top flight, five points and four places above Villa.
If Emery is intent on landing a Champions League spot once again, his side will have to beat Newcastle on Saturday before going head-to-head with fellow top-five chasers Manchester City on 22 April.
The Villa Park club then face an all-important FA Cup semi-final tie with Crystal Palace on 26 April, so it is still all to play for despite their Champions League exit.