Ollie Watkins: "If I'm not playing football I'm not happy"

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has said he's 'not happy' being out of the team, reiterating comments made earlier in the season.

Watkins made headlines after saying he was 'fuming' to have been left out of the side for Villa's UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, publicly stating that he let manager Unai Emery know his feelings.

Watkins played 37 Premier League games for Villa last season but has had to settle for more of a rotational role this term. Initially sharing minutes with Jhon Duran, Watkins has battled with Marcus Rashford for a place in the starting XI following his successful loan move from Manchester United.

But the injury to Rashford that will sideline him for the rest of the season means Watkins will lead the line again, and the forward insists there's no animosity between himself and Emery.

"It wasn't in a disrespectful way," Watkins told Sky Sports. "Obviously some people can take it like that but for me it was just... I'm a footballer at the end of the day, that's my job, and if I'm not playing football I'm not happy, so it was as simple as that really. You want to be playing every game possible.

"There's no animosity between me and the boss, I have all faith in him and what he decides.

"Last season, I played every minute and felt really good. Obviously this season I didn't have much of an off-season and sometimes you need to let the body rest. The manager knows best really and everyone has full trust in him. As much as you want to play every minute, sometimes you've got to do what's best for the team."

Emery's rotational policy has benefitted Villa as the season has worn on; from languishing in mid-table at the end of February, Villa reeled off five straight wins, going on to make it seven from eight to find themselves back in the hunt for UEFA Champions League football, and Watkins feels the squad has adapted well.

"Sometimes it's been difficult because last season at times there'd be maybe 13 or 14 fit players and there wasn't much rotation in the squad and everyone knew what the starting XI would be week in, week out," said Watkins.

"With the amount of games this year you need that rotation and fresh legs for some games and I think we've done that really well."

Liam Williams

• Aston Villa F.C.
• Premier League
• UEFA Champions League
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