Aston Villa boss Unai Emery delivers 'important' message to Ollie Watkins

Watkins has found himself on the bench for the first time when fit during Emery’s reign in large part due to the form of fellow striker Duran, who has scored in each of his last four appearances.

The 21-year–old Colombia international is Villa’s top scorer in all competitions and has netted in all six games he has started this season.

It is form which has seen him currently edge ahead of Watkins in the pecking order but Emery has reminded the latter, who has scored just twice in his last 13 appearances, he still has a big part to play.

He said: “I spoke with him (Watkins) about the important player he is in the squad, sometimes playing and playing and playing or sometimes not playing, like in the last matches for different circumstances. 

“One of those is because Jhon Duran is progressing and increasing his demand in our task every match. 

“Collectively as well I need from the players tactical work. He (Duran) is understanding, improving, increasing his commitment to do the work we need. 

“Of course, Ollie Watkins is always doing it. Now my challenge is to try and get the best of them individually and hopefully I can play with both being successful and getting the tactical idea we have.”

Watkins became the first Villa player to be named in the PFA team of the year for more than a decade after plundering 28 goals in all competitions last season.

He then went on to star for England at Euro 2024, netting a dramatic late semi-final winner against the Netherlands.

But the 28-year-old admitted last week the current campaign had been tough, in large part because of a shortened summer break following the tournament.

Watkins played through an injury in the early weeks of the campaign and then picked up another minor knock in the 3-2 Champions League win at RB Leipzig earlier this month. Duran scored after replacing him off the bench in Germany and then started the following Premier League match at Nottingham Forest.

Emery has been impressed with Watkins’ attitude since dropping to the bench.

He said: “We need the players to be competitive but also honest and respectful. Watkins I think is always 100 per cent honest. 

“His commitment is fantastic, he is always doing his work for the team and then individually with the target he has. 

“He told it, he started the season a little bit late because he was with the national team. He also had a little bit of pain in that moment and was not getting his form like we needed it. We were also introducing Duran and he helped us a lot. 

“Then progressively Watkins was feeling better and now I think he is good. 

“Of course, he had a small problem in Leipzig and that is one of the circumstances of which I was speaking about why he did not play the second half there and why he did not start against Nottingham Forest. Duran is performing well and of course he is deserving to keep playing.”