‘Hopefully’: Unai Emery is keeping faith with misfiring attacker after slow start in the Premier League
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has spoken out in defence of England striker Ollie Watkins after he ended his goalless run against Fulham.
Villa followed Thursday’s Europa League win against Bologna with a 3-1 victory at home against Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday. They conceded the first goal but Watkins opened his account for the season with a crucial equaliser before the break.
Emery made a tactical tweak at half time, bringing Emi Buendía on for Harvey Elliott, and the Argentine proved a key figure in inspiring Villa to go on and win the game. His clever assist for John McGinn’s goal was immediately followed by one of his own to make it 3-1.
It was a vital victory for Emery’s men and the manager’s celebrations after the goals spoke volumes about the levels of relief that came with three points.
Watkins has been in the spotlight and stepped up in a big moment to draw the game level against the Cottagers with his fifth goal against them in the last five league meetings between the two teams. It was Watkins’ 76th Premier League goal, finally extending his lead as Villa’s top league scorer of the Premier League era.
The goal and the win that followed should help take the pressure off Watkins as well as Emery, and both were evidently more relaxed after the match than they have been all season.
Emery’s backing for Watkins
Emery discussed Watkins’ prospects after the game, telling BBC Sport that there’s more to come from his main centre-forward.
“Hopefully he can keep going,” said Emery.
“It’s the consequence of how he played for 30 minutes on Thursday. The most important and first step forward is to play, focus and be demanding, and he was doing it on Thursday and today. The goals are hopefully [also] coming for the next match.”
Watkins also enjoys the backing of Villa captain McGinn, who had some words for the strikers’ critics when he spoke to Match of the Day on Sunday.
“He has had a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but what he will get from us as teammates and staff is love and support,” said McGinn.
“What he has given us in recent seasons is nothing short of brilliant.
“He always has a spell in the season when it doesn’t quite click for him, but he runs a lot and he works hard, and then when he gets the ball, you expect that he will score. Hopefully that shuts a few people up.”
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