Wayne Rooney simply can’t understand what Unai Emery is doing with Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Wayne Rooney has expressed surprise at how Unai Emery is using Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa after they lost to Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Liverpool ended their torrid run of form with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch grabbing the goals.
Villa, on the contrary, saw their winning streak come to an end in what was a disappointing performance from Unai Emery’s side in England’s top flight.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has shared some concerns about how Villa played on the evening.
Wayne Rooney on Aston Villa and Ollie Watkins
Speaking to the BBC, the legendary Premier League goalscorer suggested he was confused by how Emery is using Ollie Watkins, who is “one of the best in the league at running channels.”
He said: “I think, watching the game, I just thought – what were Aston Villa doing? You know, Arne Slot even came out and said they struggle with long balls, and Liverpool are a very good pressing team.
“They had warning signs before the Salah goal, but they kept trying to play out from the back – in their own six-yard box – and they were getting caught. They were lucky not to concede before they did, and yet they just kept going. I was thinking, what are you doing?
“They’ve got Ollie Watkins, who’s one of the best in the league at running the channels, spinning, and turning. I don’t get it.”
Rooney was then asked by his co-host, “What do you think the thought process was behind that, though?”
He responded: “I get that managers want to stick to their game plan and play the way they want to play, but sometimes you come up against teams – like at Anfield – where you just can’t give Liverpool encouragement or let them win the ball high up the pitch.
“That makes it a very difficult game for you, and Aston Villa got caught out because of that – really through their own fault.
“Liverpool were good, they pressed really well, but Villa played right into their hands. There was no way they were going to win that game playing like that.”
Is Ollie Watkins being misused at Aston Villa?
Anyone who has watched Watkins in the Premier League over the last few years knows how dangerous the England international can be. That said, this season he’s been a far cry from his past form.
Watkins has scored only once in 13 matches so far this season and doesn’t look like the player he once was, which could be down to him not being utilised effectively.
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Poll: Is Ollie Watkins being misused at Aston Villa?
His showing against Liverpool was particularly dismal. He failed to have a single shot, completed just nine passes, and made just 18 touches in the defeat at Anfield.
Emery needs to address the Watkins issue sooner rather than later, as not using him to the best of his abilities is a risky move.
Villa now face a Europa League clash on Thursday against Maccabi Tel Aviv, where they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways – and Watkins back to scoring form.
