Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa striker 'fuming' over PSG benching in Champions League quarter-final
19 April 2025, 18:58 | Updated: 20 April 2025, 15:01
Ollie Watkins says he let Aston Villa boss Unai Emery know he was "fuming" to be benched against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The striker was brought on with less than 20 minutes to go in both legs of the quarter-final tie with the French Champions as Villa lost 5-4 on aggregate, with on-loan forward Marcus Rashford preferred by Emery.
Watkins responded by inspiring Villa's 4-1 statement win over Newcastle in the Premier League with a goal and an assist that puts them firmly back in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
For the 29-year-old, it was a timely reminder of his value at a time when Villa are mulling over whether to sign Rashford permanently from Manchester United.
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