Aston Villa badge, Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (credit: Imago)
Max Wilkins
Tue 3 December 2024 19:10, UK
Unai Emery must drop Ollie Watkins against Brentford after missing yet another big chance in the Aston Villa defeat to Chelsea.
The Villans fell to yet another loss in West London as Enzo Maresca’s side came away with an easy 3-0 victory on Sunday (1 December).
Goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer were of great frustration to Villa supporters, who were mostly let down by the performance level at Stamford Bridge.
Despite a generally poor showing, things could have been different if Watkins had taken his chances when they came and, as a result, Emery has a decision to make.
Unai Emery must drop Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa v Brentford
The England international has struggled for form this campaign, which has not been helped by the substitute performances from Jhon Duran.
Whether the 20-year-old has piled pressure on his counterpart or his level has just dropped, the ex-Brentford man hasn’t been good enough.
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This is summed up by the number of big chances he has missed this season, which ranks as the most in the whole Premier League.
Thirteen big chances missed with a shot conversion rate of just 18.2 per cent [FotMob] has ultimately cost Emery’s side and has contributed heavily to the Villans’ poor league position.
The 28-year-old missed one big chance against Chelsea with a zero per cent conversion rate, while also having another shot in the game which was saved.
It isn’t as if his performance lent itself to his teammates after having just 20 touches of the ball and completing just eight passes on the day.
With such limited touches, just four came in the opposition penalty area and he completed just one dribble, with a 33 per cent success rate.
Typically with Watkins, his pressing from the front allows him to be slightly less potent going forward.
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins [Credit: Imago]
This also wasn’t the case at Stamford Bridge as he contributed with just one defensive action while also losing three duels.
It is time for Emery to make a change and hand Duran a chance from the start in the hope that the Englishman can make a positive impact from the bench against the Bees.
In other Aston Villa, AC Milan are looking to sell one ace as Villa eye January transfer.
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