Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has backed Ollie Watkins to return to the scoresheet soon
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
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Unai Emery has reassured Ollie Watkins that he remains his main man, despite the striker's lack of goals this season, and is confident he will overcome his poor form.
Watkins has scored just once in 15 appearances so far this season, netting the equaliser in Villa's 3-1 win over Fulham back in September.
That strike came just days before Watkins missed a penalty against Bologna, as well as a golden chance to secure all three points at Sunderland previously.
Villa's chance creation has been limited so far this term, posting the second-lowest xG value in the Premier League, but Watkins has also appeared to be playing within himself.
His latest setback came this morning when Thomas Tuchel left him out of his England squad for this month's internationals, though the Three Lions boss said it was due to a fitness issue.
Ahead of Villa's match against Bournemouth, Emery was asked about Watkins’ form.
"He is a fighter. In all of his career, he has shown us that he is a fighter," he responded. "He overcame a lot of situations in his career individually, through being a fighter.
"Now, keep moving forward. He has to focus with us again, recovering his good form and getting confidence.
"My message to him yesterday, even before the match - we were speaking and we had a meeting. I told him that I am so happy with you.
"You are our striker. You have been consistent all your career. When I arrived here, you showed me your character to be resilient in all the moments we need to get fighting like you are.
"Now, I know that you are going to recover and get your performance through being consistent like you are, through fighting like you did, and through focusing with us."
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