Express & Star

Unai Emery backs key Aston Villa man to emerge from slump

Unai Emery is confident the goals will come for Ollie Watkins after backing the striker to emerge from his current slump.

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Supporting image for story: Unai Emery backs key Aston Villa man to emerge from slump
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (centre) battles for the ball with Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo (left) during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday November 1, 2025.

Watkins has scored just once in 14 appearances this season and is in comfortably his poorest goalscoring form since Emery arrived at Villa Park three years ago.

But Emery has no doubts the 29-year-old will again come good provided he keeps working hard.

Villa next play Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday in the Europa League and Emery’s message to Watkins is simple.