SNUBBED OLLIE TO HIT BACK

OLLIE WATKINS has been backed to get over his World Cup disappointment by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.

Watkins failed to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar and also missed out on Euro 2020 after being named in the provisional squad.

He showed no hangover against Manchester United on Thursday and scored his third goal of the season in Villa’s 4-2 Carabao Cup defeat and Emery is pleased with his reaction.

Emery has been impressed by what he has seen from the forward in his first two games in charge of Villa.

He said: “Yes, he has his individual challenge to keep his place in the team as a striker by doing very good work, the pressing, keeping the ball, tracking back and making runs.

“The last good thing we need off him as a striker is to achieve and get goals and he did that against Manchester United.

“That’s going to be good for him and his confidence and the performance from him was good in the last two matches.”

Emery says he has learnt much about Villa from his first week at the helm and he was delighted by Sunday’s display in beating United 3-1 though Villa could not make it a double at Old Trafford.

“They are very good players with the mentality to work, they are so attentive every day, tactically,” said the former Arsenal boss.

“In the two matches there were more positive things than negative.”

Emery knows Brighton will be a tough challenge for Villa, who have not won away in the Premier League for six months.

He said: “I like to have challenges like this because the only way to improve is by playing against good teams.”