(Credit: Imago)

Oliver Walton

Sun 15 March 2026 18:32, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa fans have slammed Ollie Watkins after his dismal showing in their 3-1 defeat to Man United at Old Trafford.

Villa’s Champions League qualification hopes suffered a blow as Bruno Fernandes pulled the strings for United to lead them to a 3-1 win on Sunday afternoon.

He provided two assists for Casemiro and Matheus Cunha to score either side of Ross Barkley’s equaliser, while Benjamin Sesko added some gloss to the scoreline late on.

Unai Emery started Watkins for the 11th consecutive Premier League game at Old Trafford, but he offered little in attack and was left frustrated by his own performance before being taken off on the hour mark.

Villa’s next match sees them face Lille in a huge Europa League round of 16 clash, and many fans do not want to see Watkins named in the starting eleven as he struggles for form.

Ollie Watkins blasted by Villa fans online after ‘dreadful’ performance vs Man United

Watkins had scored just nine goals in 39 appearances this season prior to Sunday’s clash, and he did not come close to netting against United as he failed to even have an effort on goal.

He completed just seven accurate passes and had 19 touches of the ball in his hour on the pitch, while also losing possession eight times.

Only two of those touches were in the United penalty area, and he won just two of seven attempted ground duels throughout the game.

Watkins’ frustrations were clear for all to see as he picked up a booking for delaying the restart in the 41st minute for purposely kicking the ball towards the goal after being flagged offside.

Taking to X to react to his performance, one fan said: “Watkins should never start for Villa again this season. Absolute horror performances week in week out. Emery needs to start making subs at half time, especially when you have someone like Abraham waiting on the bench.”

Another added: “Think that is genuinely the worst centre forward display I have ever seen! Watkins is dreadful.”

While one supporter replied to a reporter to say: “Ask Emery how he continues to start Watkins when we brought a new striker in January. It’s like starting with 10 men every game.”

Villa plan to sell Watkins this summer after tough campaign

Watkins has really failed to hit the heights expected of him this season, and at 30-years-old, the next summer window feels like an obvious time for Villa to cash in on his services.

Tammy Abraham was signed in January to provide competition in attack, and he is two years younger than the England man, so is a better long-term option for the Villans to hang their hat on for goals going forward.

According to Football Insider’s sources, Villa want to sell Watkins before next season, and are likely to accept a cut-price fee of around £30million for his services.

His value has decreased since they rejected a £45m bid from Arsenal in January 2025, and Emery wants to replace him with a younger and quicker option who can get behind defences.