Ollie Watkins has spoken of his anger at being excluded from the starting line-up for both legs of Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Watkins has scored 23 goals across all competitions this season, including eight in the Champions League, but started neither tie of Villa’s 5-4 aggregate loss, with on-loan forward Marcus Rashford selected as the sole starting striker.
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The 29-year-old was substituted on in the 79th and 76th minutes of the tie, before scoring in the subsequent Premier League victories over Southampton and Newcastle United respectively.
“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 [Emery] know that,” Watkins told Sky Sports after the match.
“He’s the manager, at the end of the day you have to respect his decision. I am not one of these players which is happy to sit on the bench.
“Something I have not experienced before and to miss out on the biggest stage. I think me and a few others were disappointed that we didn’t start the game, but it is the manager’s decision.
“The team played well, but 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.
“Against Southampton I came off the bench. I was angry I wasn’t playing and you have got to use that as motivation rather than let it hinder you.”
Watkins scored in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle, as sixth-place Villa moved level on points with Nottingham Forest, in fifth, in the Premier League.
Emery said of Watkins in his post-match press conference: “He was fantastic. To be angry is fantastic. To play like he did was fantastic. This is the competitive way I want.
“He’s a very good person and respectful always. His commitment is always very positive, with the team-mates, the coaches, the manager and the workers.
“With Watkins, it was a very good conversation and when he responded today, wow, i am so, so happy for him, the team and our objectives.”
(Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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