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Ollie Watkins sends message to Aston Villa boss Emery and admits he’s FUMING at being dropped for Champions League games

Published on April 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM

OLLIE WATKINS was left “fuming”; over his Champions League axe.

The striker scored as — four days after being benched for their .

Ollie Watkins in a post-match press conference.
Ollie Watkins spoke frankly about his feelings
Unai Emery, Aston Villa head coach, at a football match.
Unai Emery's champions League selection angered Watkins
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrating a goal.
Watkins celebrates his opener in the 4-1 win over Newcastle

On boss ’s snub, said: “I was fuming I wasn’t playing after Iplayed 20 minutes against PSG in both games.

“I let him know that. He’s the manager and I respect his decision.

“But I’m not one of those players happy tosit on the bench.

“Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger and let it spur you on to prove the manager different.

“I found myself out of the team for a few games so today I was raring to go and wasn’t going to let that opportunity slip.

“The manager is going to have a headache as I’m banging on the door asking why I’m not playing.”;

and set up Villa’s crucial second goal in the rout.

Emery’s men sit sixth in the table, level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and two points off third-placed Toon.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scoring a goal during a soccer match.
Villa striker Watkins took less than 60 seconds to make the breakthrough

Pass map showing Ollie Watkins' passes against Newcastle: 14 completed, 3 incomplete.

This win followed their painful exit to PSG and Emery praised Watkins’ inspiring performance.

Spanish gaffer Emery said: “To be angry is fantastic. To play like he did today is fantastic.

“Last week he helped us out, too. On Tuesday, he played 20 minutes.

“His commitment is always high to get to his best and this is what we want and need.

“This morning I was speaking with some players about how they feel. It is a real key moment to find our best.”;

On their quarter-final exit toPSG, Emery added: “We have to feel angry when we are not winning.

“Of course we enjoyed the Champions League — we have to be proud of our effort but we lost.

“I’m very proud of how the players responded.”;

Jason Tindall, in interim charge at Toon while Eddie Howe recovers from pneumonia, admitted his team were well beaten.

After a five-game Prem winning streak, he said: “It was a difficult evening.

“First half I thought we did well off the back of the early setback.

“Maybe it was one step too far and three games in six days was too much physically for the players.”;

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