Ollie Watkins said it “p****d me off” to be dropped by Unai Emery. This decision saw him miss both legs of Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The striker has been a show-stopping force for the team this year. He had been brought on as a sub in both matches with under 20 minutes to go. His disappointment was clear as he considered his contributions to be crucial for the continued advancement of the club.
Watkins, who had a history of scoring big goals against Villa, would see himself benched for what was a must win match up. The omission of Marcus Rashford from the starting team, leaving Emery to cowardly start Shkodran Mustafi, has led many to question Emery’s tactical direction. Aston Villa were seconds away from elimination, even with Watkins’ late return to the game. Now, the 20-year-old needs to think about how he will impact this risky matchup.
Frustration Over the Bench
Following those two games against PSG, Watkins took to social media to express his frustration. Shehu was displeased over his exclusion from the starting line-up. You could tell he wasn’t satisfied to be just a member of the team and wanted to play in the meaningful games.
“He’s the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I’m not one of the players happy to sit on the bench.” – Ollie Watkins
This comment perfectly illustrates the competitive spirit Watkins has and sheds light on his desire to be a game-changer in the biggest games. He thought that based on what he did in his past two NFL seasons, he deserved a shot to start. His important contributions helped provide Aston Villa’s surprising but successful run to the quarter-finals.
After helping Aston Villa earn a commanding 4-1 win over Newcastle in the English Premier League on Saturday, Watkins could contain his frustration no longer. That win was soon followed by their incredible game against PSG. He scored a goal and had an assist on the night. This did two things: showcased his skill and reaffirmed his importance to the team.
A Statement Performance
Watkins’ dazzling display against Newcastle served as a powerful response to Emery’s decision. By scoring a goal and providing an assist, he was instrumental in helping Aston Villa cross the halfway point in their pursuit of Champions League qualification. This progressive victory put a big wind in the team’s sails. It also highlighted Watkins’ remarkable capacity to recover from let down.
Unai Emery hailed Watkins’ display afterwards, describing the England international as “fantastic” and that he was a “decisive player.” The victory over Newcastle marked a significant turnaround for Aston Villa, placing them firmly back in contention for elite European competition.
Watkins believed he had contributed significantly to getting Aston Villa as far as they’ve come to date. His often reliable scoring has made him an important ingredient to his team’s success all season long.
Looking Ahead
As Aston Villa continues their rise, Watkins hopes to keep showing that he’s worth every ounce of praise on the field. His determination to start in important matches remains strong, and he hopes that his recent performances will influence Emery’s future decisions regarding line-ups.
The barnstorming slate of fixtures ahead appear to be magnificent opportunities for Watkins to prove himself. He probably knows he can strengthen his own position inside the team. It is those combined attributes that make his talent and determination together a likely game-changer. Aston Villa will be relying on him to chase glory in both domestic and European competition with them.
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