Ollie Watkins explains why he doesn't want to be a super sub in Aston Villa's 'strongest' squad

The England international has started just one of Villa’s last five matches in all competitions, with boss Unai Emery preferring loanee Marcus Rashford up front.

But top scorer Watkins served a reminder of his qualities by coming off the bench and setting Villa on their way to a 3-0 win against the Saints.

The 29-year-old won a penalty within two minutes of entering the action and though Marco Asensio was denied from the spot, he opened the scoring just three minutes later with his 14th Premier League goal of the season.

Watkins acknowledges boss Emery faces a major headache in selecting from what he believes is Villa’s strongest-ever squad. But it doesn’t ease his frustration at not starting. 

He said: “For me, I’m not happy to sit on the bench. It’s disappointing every game that I am on the bench but it is the manager’s decision at the end of the day.

“That is all you can do when you come on the pitch, try to make an impact and then go from there. We all did that today. Three different goal scorers all coming off the bench. It’s positive that we have got the squad that we can do that.”

Donyell Malen and John McGinn also came off the bench to score, as Villa ended up cruising to a fourth straight Premier League win and moved within three points of third-placed Nottingham Forest.

But it was Watkins’ deft volley from Youri Tielemans’ lofted pass which finally broke the Saints’ stubborn resistance, with the striker ranking it among the finest of his 73 Premier League goals.

“The ball from Youri was executed perfectly, then I have stretched out,” he said. 

“The importance of it, keeping us in the fight for the Champions League. The timing of the goal, coming off the bench, not being in the starting line-up, being disappointed to not play.

“When you put all that into consideration, I’m happy to score.”

Watkins is now just one goal shy of equalling Gabriel Agbonlahor’s club record in the Premier League and admitted some disappointment at not being able to take Villa’s second penalty of the afternoon, when McGinn was brought down in stoppage time.

The latter then converted on the rebound after Asensio was again denied by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, becoming just the fourth player to fail twice from the spot in a Premier League match.

Watkins had some words of comfort for his fellow forward.

He said: “Since Marco has come here, it has been unbelievable for him. Everything he has touched has turned to gold. 

“But it happens. I have missed penalties. It is a horrible feeling. These things happen and I am sure he will score a lot more in his career. 

“He is experienced and has won so much, so I am not sure something like that will affect him.”

Asked if he was aware how close he is to Agbonlahor’s record, Watkins replied: “Of course I am. That is why I wanted to take the penalty as well. To equal it and one more to get the record. 

“I am two goals off now. Two more to beat it. I am thinking of breaking it. I will do it at some point and I’m looking forward to that day.”