Emery Praises Watkins After Villa's Europa League Triumph

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery had plenty to say about his forwards following their impressive 3-1 victory over Bologna in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals. Ollie Watkins stole the spotlight, scoring two goals and setting the tone for the match. Ezri Konsa added a third with a header, making it a crucial win for Villa as they navigated a tough first half.

Emery praised Watkins for his relentless work ethic. "When we speak about it collectively and individually, Watkins is a fighter. Sometimes he plays brilliantly like today, and sometimes not. When he doesn’t score, we lack something from him. Always he plays well because he always does his task and he works for the team," he said. The manager emphasized that Watkins' consistency is vital, especially as he eyes a spot in the England squad for the World Cup.

Watkins’ performance was a reminder of his potential, especially after being overlooked for the latest England call-up. With 12 goals this season, he’s proving to be a key player for Villa at a crucial time.

Emery also addressed the need for improvement from Tammy Abraham, who has struggled to find his form since joining on loan from Besiktas. With only two goals in 11 appearances, Abraham has a lot to prove. "This is the next way and the example for Tammy Abraham. We need him adapting to our idea and competing like Watkins," Emery stated, sending a clear message about the expectations for his squad.

The manager didn’t stop there. He also commented on Bologna's Jonathan Rowe, a player Villa had previously targeted. "He is playing progressively better this season. Since our first match against Bologna, he has performed very well and scored a fantastic goal," Emery noted.

As Villa prepares for the second leg, all eyes will be on Watkins and whether he can keep up this momentum. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on. How will the team respond in the next match?