Tom Griffin

Sun 19 October 2025 14:25, UK

Aston Villa travelled to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, October 19, with Ollie Watkins starting on the bench.

Ollie Watkins scored for England against Wales, but joy for the Aston Villa striker soon turned to heartache after clashing with the post and being substituted.

Watkins then missed England’s 5-0 victory over Latvia on Tuesday, October 14, with the 29-year-old returning to Bodymoor Heath early.

Kane impressed Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions secured an easy three points in World Cup qualifying. However, the injury Watkins picked up meant Unai Emery left the former Brentford striker out of his squad against Tottenham.

What Unai Emery said about Ollie Watkins benching

A goal against Wales on international duty was supposed to spark his form into life at club level, having failed to score in six of his seven Premier League appearances.

Although Watkins was applauded against Fulham at the end of September, the Englishman has witnessed his performance levels drop.

For Aston Villa’s clash against Tottenham, Emery was coy when asked why he dropped his talisman to the bench with Donyel Malen leading the line instead.

Speaking on Sky Sports pre-match, the Spaniard said: “I don’t respond to this question as it’s private. He was getting better and has arrived unfit to play the match.”

Watkins has played a lot of football for club and country this year, so supporters will hope dropping him to the bench can help the striker return to his best.

Watkins 2025/26 stats

The England international is still one of Villa’s most influential players, and any chance of Emery’s men qualifying for Europe once more hinges on him.

Watkins has been uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal, only converting 9% of his chances while misplacing 28% of his passes.

The England international needs to improve those numbers if he is to have a successful campaign, and if Villa are to push up the table.