Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Sun 12 April 2026 16:50, UK

Ollie Watkins looked to be back to his best for Aston Villa in midweek.

The England international netted two and looked massively fired up as the Villans secured a 3-1 victory away at Bologna.

It was a much-needed return to top form for the striker after plenty of criticism was aimed his way throughout the season in B6.

There was hope that he could come into the clash at the City Ground on Sunday and once again hit those heights to send the Villans on their way to three points.

Villa could only manage a draw with Nottingham Forest, and it’s fair to say that the forward was off the boil compared to his Europa League outing.

Ollie Watkins badly struggled vs Nottingham Forest

The 30-year-old has rightly come under scrutiny this season, even if he has made it to 99 career goals in claret and blue.

His output, particularly in the Premier League, just hasn’t been good enough and is costing his side points in the race for Champions League qualification.

That was once again the frustration away to Forest as Liverpool were able to make up two points compared to the Villans with a win on Saturday against Fulham.

They have a frustrating Watkins performance, in part, to thank for closing the gap, as his zero per cent shot accuracy left Mats Sels with little to do.

The Englishman also misplaced five passes and was dispossessed three times throughout an 87-minute showing at the City Ground.

That is only made worse by a 29 per cent duel win rate, which afforded the hosts a chance to win possession and get forward on the counter.

Watkins may have shone against Bologna, but came back down to earth with a bang on his return to Premier League action.

Tammy Abraham to be fuming at Aston Villa

It was a difficult afternoon for Villa’s number 11, and it didn’t look like it was going to get any better.

Despite that, Tammy Abraham was forced to watch for 87 minutes and came on without time to even get a touch of the ball.

The £20million January signing didn’t manage a touch and effectively was a pointless change in the East Midlands.

Considering Watkins was struggling to perform, he should have been called upon sooner rather than persisting with a failing plan.

Abraham has every right to be fuming in B6 right now, and it would certainly be interesting to know what he thinks right now.