Unai Emery shouting standing infront of a to-do list at Aston Villa
Credit: Breaking Media and Imago
Max Wilkins
Wed 25 March 2026 17:10, UK
Unai Emery still has work to do at Aston Villa between now and the end of the season.
The Villans secured an impressive 2-0 win over West Ham before the international break brought Premier League action to a halt.
Goals from John McGinn and Ollie Watkins did the trick in claret and blue, but it is a massive risk to assume that the B6 outfit are back to their best.
There are still existing concerns that Champions League qualification could pass Villa by if they aren’t careful in the final weeks of the season.
Emery still has work to do at Villa Park, and now Villa News has assessed exactly what is required over the international break.
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Ollie Watkins must now find his form at Aston Villa
There have been plenty of problems on show in the Midlands in recent months, but they looked to be on the back burner against the Hammers.
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Watkins has been one of the biggest points of frustration, as his goalscoring exploits have been well below those of years gone by.
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2025-26 43 10 2
2024-25 54 17 14
2023-24 53 27 13
2022-23 42 16 7
2021-22 36 11 2
2020-21 40 16 5
Ollie Watkins Aston Villa career stats
He may be destined to finally turn a corner after he put in an excellent shift at Villa Park, as he netted a deserved goal in B6.
The Englishman netted with one of his three efforts on goal, while also creating one chance, while maintaining an 88 per cent accuracy.
That was only bettered by his four duel wins and four defensive actions.
Emery now has the perfect chance to work with the 30-year-old over the international break to help him continue on the front foot.
Watkins now needs to maintain that form at Villa and showcase it every week.
John McGinn and Youri Tielemans must be watched closely
There are plenty of names in B6 who haven’t been good recently that need to use the international break to improve massively.
That will represent a concern, but the fitness of McGinn and Youri Tielemans needs to be pushed to the front of the queue.
The duo are going away with Scotland and Belgium, respectively, despite only recently returning from injury, with the latter coming on against West Ham last time around.
Youri Tielemans Aston Villa stats vs West Ham
He certainly did well in that time, racking up 17 touches, a 92 per cent pass accuracy and one created chance while chipping in with seven defensive actions.
It is a concern that he is going away with Belgium so soon, and Emery will have to keep a close eye on him and McGinn.
As long as they maintain fitness and come back to Bodymoor Heath safe and sound, that’s all that matters.
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