Ollie Watkins has a message for his Aston Villa manager Unai Emery – he wants to be starting the biggest games.
The striker said he’d been “fuming” to only be a substitute for both of Villa’s Champions League quarter-final ties against Paris St-Germain.
But against Newcastle on Saturday he channelled his anger perfectly as he scored inside the opening minute and set up another to propel his side to a brilliant 4-1 win.
His goal meant he became Villa’s joint-top Premier League goalscorer – alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor – on 74.
But, despite his record-equalling feats, Watkins has started just two of the club’s past six games in all competitions, a fact he is not best pleased with.
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford started Tuesday’s Champions League second-leg tie, with Watkins coming on in the second half as Villa were knocked out.
“I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn’t playing – I let him [Unai Emery] know that,” Watkins told Sky Sports.
“He’s the manager, you have to respect his decision, [but] I am not one of these players happy to sit on the bench.
“It is something I have not experienced before, to miss out on the biggest stage. I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games.”
When asked about Watkins’ comments Emery replied: “It’s fantastic to be angry and fantastic for him to play like he did [against Newcastle].”
