Ollie Watkins Deserves Spot In Euro 2024, Says Unai Emery After Aston Villa Win

Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has publicly supported Ollie Watkins' inclusion in England's Euro 2024 squad following an impressive performance that saw Watkins score twice in a 3-2 victory over Luton. Watkins, aged 28, has reached a personal milestone this season, scoring 21 goals across all competitions. His contributions were pivotal in Aston Villa's recent win at Kenilworth Road, where he first scored with a header from a Leon Bailey corner and then secured his second goal via a post, following a quick free-kick from Douglas Luiz.

This season has been Watkins' most successful in the Premier League, with 16 goals contributing to Aston Villa's unexpected challenge for a Champions League qualification spot. The forward's performance has not gone unnoticed, with England manager Gareth Southgate facing the decision of which forwards to accompany captain Harry Kane to Germany in less than three months. Watkins is now seen as a strong candidate for the squad, alongside Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who has also made headlines despite a gambling ban sidelining him for the first five months of the season.

"Every player is showing in their teams their quality, their capacity, their commitment, their performance," Emery commented on the selection process for the national team. He added, "But I think he (Watkins) deserves to be there."

Aston Villa's recent victory solidified their position in the top four of the Premier League, with Tottenham trailing five points behind. The win was secured by Lucas Digne's header in the 89th minute against Rob Edwards' side, which is fighting relegation. Despite Luton initially overcoming Villa's lead with goals from Tahith Chong and Carlton Morris, Villa's late substitutions proved decisive. Moussa Diaby's cross found Digne at the far post to clinch victory for Emery's team.

Emery praised his strategic substitutions during the match, stating, "This is the idea when you're taking decisions, trying to make an impact with fresh players. They did fantastic." Among these substitutions was Morgan Rogers, who made his second appearance for Villa since transferring from Middlesbrough in January. Despite being replaced towards the end of the match, Emery clarified that it was a tactical decision and not a reflection on Rogers' performance.

The manager explained his approach to substitutions by referencing a previous match against Liverpool where he made similar tactical changes. Emery's decisions have been instrumental in Aston Villa's current success and positioning in the league, highlighting his ability to adapt and influence the game from the sidelines.