Unai Emery accused of ‘not backing’ Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has struggled for form this season at Aston Villa.
The England international has been part of a Villa frontline, which has been really blunt in attack.
Watkins has looked off the pace for Villa, with the striker scoring just four times since March.
Unai Emery will want his star striker to get back to form sooner rather than later, or he could see his position come under scrutiny.
Watkins’ goalscoring record for Villa is undeniable, but it has been a while since he has been at his very best.
Unai Emery urged to use Ollie Watkins more
Watkins was linked with a move away from Villa Park in January and the summer, but no move ever materialised.
Speaking on Football Focus [20 September], Dion Dublin thinks Watkins’ form can be attributed to an incident last season, when Emery unexpectedly dropped the striker for the Champions League clash against PSG.
He said: “When they played against PSG, he didn’t play Ollie, he played Marcus [Rashford] instead, and I think Ollie’s possibly still carrying that around.
“A huge game, Ollie Watkins’ hard work got them to that situation in the first place, and he was probably thinking my nose is put out of joint here.
“‘All I’ve done for you and you don’t play me’.”
The former Villa striker also said he wasn’t sure if Watkins felt ‘backed’ by Emery after the PSG incident, but urged the club to keep hold of him.
He said, “I think Ollie works at Villa. I think he is a very good number nine, and I think he needs to just play and play and play; he’ll get you goals.”
Aston Villa may regret not cashing in on Ollie Watkins
Watkins has come under fire from sections of the Villa faithful this season, with some even questioning his desire and commitment on the pitch.
If his struggles in front of goal continue, Monchi and the recruitment team could come to regret not cashing in while his stock was high back in January
- Villa signed Watkins from Brentford for £28 million in 2020.
- Watkins has 87 goals in 228 appearances at Villa Park.
- The striker has 19 caps for England, scoring five times.
Watkins can still deliver at Villa Park, but if it is a case between him and Emery staying at the club, it will be the Spaniard who will have more backing from the club’s hierarchy.
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