Aston Villa FC v Brentford FC - Premier League
Ollie Watkins started on the bench for Aston Villa against Southampton
Unai Emery sprung a surprise with his Aston Villa team selection and dropped striker Ollie Watkins to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League game against Southampton.
The England international was the second-most transferred in player for Gameweek 15 of the Fantasy Premier League season, with 358,165 managers making the move.
Watkins was back on the scoresheet in midweek as Villa returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory against Brentford.
The 28-year-old would have hoped to have built on that performance against the struggling Saints but Watkins had to make do on the bench.
‘It’s time to use intelligently the players in the squad and of course get performances collectively and individually from all the players,’said Emery when asked why he opted to hand Jhon Duran his first league start of the campaign.
‘Of course it is very important,’ Emery added when asked on the need to build on a first win in seven games.
‘At Villa Park we feel strong and feel comfortable. We respect the opponent and each point here is very important, it’s a fight for every point.
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John Duran made his first Premier League start of the season against Southampton
‘At Villa Park we have to be strong with our supporters, we have to try to transmit the energy. With everybody here we are defending Aston Villa.’
‘He fancies one up front,’ said former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood when asked why Emery continues to be reluctant to pair Duran and Watkins together from the start.
‘To be fair Duran has earned his chance to play. I think they can both play together but it’s a game where he wants to rest players.’
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