Ollie Watkins has hit out at Unai Emery's decision to bench him for four of Aston Villa's last five games.
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Watkins chasing Villa recordCame off bench to score vs Saints Admits he is unhappy with Emery's decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The England international has been managing a knee injury in recent weeks and as a result has been forced to sit on the bench for four of Villa's last five games. Watkins' reduced role comes at an important time in the season with the Villans chasing the European spots and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. Unsurprisingly, the forward is not happy with the situation.
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Speaking against the huge clash against Paris Saint-Germain, Watkins opened up on his frustrations, saying: "For me, I’m not happy to sit on the bench. It’s disappointing every game that I’m on the bench, but it’s the manager’s decision at the end of the day."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Watkins' frustrations also come from the fact that he is closing in on a record for Aston Villa. The 29-year-old is one goal away from matching Gabby Agbonlohor's 74 Premier League goals.
He added: "Am I aware of the record? Of course I am. That is why I wanted to take the penalty as well. To equal it, then one more to get the record. 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."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WATKINS & VILLA?
Watkins only played 11 minutes of Villa's 3-1 loss in the Champions League first leg against PSG. He will be hoping to see more minutes at Villa Park as Emery's men look to pull off a seemingly impossible task and book their place in the semi-finals.
