'I was fuming': Ollie Watkins slams PSG snub as Emery hails positive reaction

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·19 de abril de 2025

'I was fuming': Ollie Watkins slams PSG snub as Emery hails positive reaction

Watkins was furious to be dropped but used the anger as motivation to come back stronger

Ollie Watkins said he was ‘fuming’ to have been left out of the starting lineup in both legs of Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG.

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Dropped in favour of Marcus Rashford, Watkins was limited to brief cameos in both legs. He played ten minutes at the Parc des Princes and 15 in the reverse fixture as the Villans crashed out of Europe, losing 5-4 on aggregate.

But returning to the lineup today, he laid credible claim to the starting spot, scoring Villa’s opener in less than a minute as they went on to romp to a 4-1 win over Newcastle. Speaking at full time, he said he had wanted more of an opportunity to help the team and told manager Unai Emery as much.

He said: “I'm not going to lie, I was fuming I wasn't playing. I let [Emery] know that.

“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.

“The team played really well, but I wanted to be out on the pitch much longer. I wanted to be starting in the important games because I've played a big part to get to where we are today.”

The anger, though, served as effective motivation to come back stronger.

Watkins produced a vintage performance at Villa Park after being reduced to cameos in both legs against PSG

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Watkins continued: “It's something I haven't experienced before, missing out on the biggest stage. You always want to play, especially in the Champions League.

“Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger as motivation.”

And he seemed as motivated as ever today, firing Villa’s first goal of the day home in under a minute before assisting their second, finished by Ian Maatsen.

Emery said it was the perfect reaction, indicative of Watkins’ mentality.

“To be angry is fantastic,” he said post-match. “To play as he did today is what I want.

“He is a very good person, always respectful and his commitment is always very good. As a club, we have increased our level.

“[We had a] very good conversation. When he responds as he did today, I am so happy.”

Today’s three points will prove vital as Villa find themselves embroiled in a hotly contested battle for Champions League qualification, in which Newcastle are a close rival. The Claret contingent currently sit sixth, but could fall to seventh if Chelsea beat Fulham on Sunday.