Ollie Watkins Scores in Aston Villa's 4-1 Win Over Newcastle

Ollie Watkins expressed his frustration after being benched for both legs of Aston Villa’s Champions League quarter-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain, having been replaced in the starting lineup by Marcus Rashford. Despite only featuring as a substitute against PSG, Watkins used his anger as motivation, scoring within the first minute in Villa’s subsequent 4-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle United, helping to boost their Champions League qualification hopes. He emphasized his desire to play in crucial matches, noting that he had contributed significantly to the team's progress and was not content to sit on the bench. Watkins also revealed he was not the only player disappointed with the manager's decision, but acknowledged the need to respect Unai Emery's choices. Emery, in turn, praised Watkins’ response and highlighted the importance of channeling frustration into positive performances. Villa’s win extended their unbeaten home run and kept them in contention for a Champions League spot.