Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins is facing significant competition from Jhon Duran, a situation that manager Unai Emery believes requires the England international to adapt swiftly to increased pressure. Emery conveyed his satisfaction with the depth of his attacking options, notably highlighting Duran’s performances as pivotal for the team's success this season.
Watkins’ recent inclusion in England's lineup against Greece raised eyebrows, particularly as he was selected to start in place of esteemed striker Harry Kane, according to interim manager Lee Carsley. However, it seems that the demands of international duty this summer have affected his form; Watkins has netted only once in eight appearances for Villa, a stark contrast to the emerging contributions of Duran, who has made a significant impact off the bench.
Emery underscored the importance of competition within the squad, stating, "Watkins is very important for us. Circumstances can change because we are building the team with two players for each position to be competitive and to perform." He noted a shift in the players' strategies, suggesting that both Watkins and Duran are pushing each other to elevate their performances. “We’ve increased our levels through those two players. They have to accept that there are two players competing for one position," he remarked.
Recognising the demands of the current environment, Emery insisted that performance is critical in determining playing time. He commented, “If performing at a high level, that is, for me, positive. Watkins has to accept and he has to adapt quickly to his new position." Emery pointed out that Watkins must work on regaining his confidence and fitness, attributing a portion of Villa’s current points tally to Duran’s timely contributions. "If we didn’t have Jhon helping like he did at that time, maybe we wouldn’t have the points we have now,” he asserted.
Team cohesion remains a central tenet of Emery's philosophy, as he emphasised the need for players to rally around one another in times of difficulty. “The most important thing is the team, the squad, the players, the team-mates. We always maintain a commitment to help," he said, reinforcing the idea that adaptability is essential in navigating the shifting dynamics within the squad.
As Aston Villa prepares for their imminent clash with Crystal Palace at Villa Park, the team aims to break a disappointing run of three Premier League matches without victory. Adding to the urgency of the fixture is the fact that Crystal Palace has already claimed victory against Villa in the Carabao Cup this season. Currently, Aston Villa occupies ninth place in the Premier League table, just a point adrift of third-placed Chelsea, while Crystal Palace finds itself in a concerning position within the relegation zone, trailing by 11 points after 11 fixtures.