“I Would’ve been Raging!” – Former Aston Villa Star Admits Unai Emery Got One Thing Wrong Last Season | OneFootball

Can Aston Villa Bounce Back and Secure Champions League Football?

Aston Villa fans have plenty to be excited about as the new Premier League season approaches, but there are also some serious questions hovering over the squad. Speaking exclusively to EPL Index, Dean Saunders gave his forthright views on the situation at Villa Park, and his insights raise some important points about the road ahead for Unai Emery and his players.

Emery’s Impact and Watkins’ Frustration

There’s no doubt Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa. Saunders said, “Unai Emery has made such a difference to Aston Villa,” and it’s hard to argue with that. Emery’s tactical discipline and ability to get the best out of his players saw Villa clinch a top-four finish last season, something that looked improbable when he took over.

However, Saunders raised eyebrows when reflecting on Emery’s handling of key striker Ollie Watkins. “I was surprised that he played Marcus Rashford ahead of Ollie Watkins in some games last season. If I was Watkins, I would have been raging.” Watkins’ goals were central to Villa’s Champions League qualification, so any hint of unrest between him and Emery is worrying. Emery must repair this relationship quickly or risk losing one of his most vital players.

Photo IMAGO

Reinforcements Needed in Attack

The departure of Jhon Duran and the return of Marcus Rashford to Manchester United leaves Villa short in attack. Currently, only Donyell Malen and Watkins remain as senior forwards. As Saunders pointed out, “They’re going to need to sign somebody else, maybe Dominic Calvert-Lewin – but if you’re going to pay him big wages, you need to look at his injury record.”

Calvert-Lewin has undoubted talent, but his fitness record is patchy. Villa are looking at a potential 60-game season across all competitions, and signing a striker who can only manage half of that workload would be a huge risk. Depth up front is no longer a luxury, it is essential if Villa want to remain competitive on multiple fronts.

Mentality of Incoming Players

Saunders also touched on the mindset required for any new arrival. “I’ve been there in the past, knowing that I was probably going to be second-choice behind a first-choice striker like Watkins. But if you are going to move to Villa this summer, you have to back yourself that you can get in the team and stay in the team.”

This speaks to the culture Emery is trying to build at Villa, where competition for places should raise standards across the board. Any incoming striker must be prepared to challenge Watkins, not just make up the numbers.

Looking Ahead

Villa’s progress under Emery has been impressive, but this summer is shaping up to be a crucial one. Fixing the relationship with Watkins, signing a reliable forward, and maintaining squad depth will determine whether they can consolidate their Champions League place or risk falling away.

With big European nights on the horizon, Villa fans will be hoping their manager makes the right calls. As Saunders summed up perfectly, “From Emery’s point of view, he definitely needs more options up front.”