Emery keeping faith for Ollie to show net gains

UNAI Emery says Ollie Watkins has his - and Aston Villa’s - full support as he works to end his goal drought.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

The Villa forward has scored just once this season in 16 appearances, finding the net against Fulham back in September.

In Watkins’ last 30 matches for Villa, he has scored four times, with goals against Southampton, Newcastle United, and Bournemouth during the final six weeks of last season.

England manager Thomas Tuchel omitted Watkins from his squad for the November internationals, citing fitness concerns rather than his form as the reason.

“We're trying to get his normal level every day, training and sometimes resting,” Emery said ahead of Villa's match with Leeds United tomorrow. “Some individual players can have small problems, and sometimes he’s not feeling 100% fit to play.