Watkins admits Aston Villa lack ‘big team mentality’ as top four hopes dented | OneFootball

Ollie Watkins cut a frustrated figure after Aston Villa failed to put away Brentford at home on Saturday in a blow to their hopes of finishing in the top four.

The Villans surrendered a two-goal lead as they conceded three times in the space of nine minutes in the second half.

Watkins rescued a point late on for Unai Emery’s side with his second goal of the day, but the England striker did not mince his words after the final whistle, expressing his dissatisfaction with Villa’s inability to see the game out.

“It’s frustrating,” he admitted to BBC Match of the Day. “We lacked that big team mentality where they kill games off which is really disappointing.

“I’m not belittling my team. I’m part of it. I feel we need to somehow figure out when we’re 2-0 up how to just shut up shop.

“I felt when it went to 3-3 that we would go on and win. We had a lot of the ball and we were creating chances.”

Villa remain fourth in the Premier League table, but are only two points ahead of Spurs who have two games in hand.

“There is a lot of football to be played,” Watkins said on the chase for a Champions League spot. “We’re battling with Tottenham who have got a great squad. It’s going to be tight. We need to win the next six games.”

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