Declan Rice has now praised one Aston Villa player in particular following their monumental win against Arsenal at the Emirates today.
Unai Emery’s Villa side delivered one of the best second half displays of the season to complete a league double against the Gunners this afternoon.
Diego Carlos set the tone for the away side, displaying all the quality and composure needed to inspire such a win.
And when his teammates decided to match his imperious levels in the second half, it felt like the game was only heading in one direction.
And fortunately for Aston Villa’s Champions League aspirations, Leon Bailey was gleefully waiting to bury his chance at the far post.
A damaging afternoon for Arsenal, but one that demonstrated the quality of Emery’s coaching once again, who is a much better fit in claret.
All that being said, Declan Rice was discussing Arsenal’s defeat and Villa’s strong performance when speaking to Sky Sports after the game.
Rice said that some of Villa’s players were ‘technically unreal’ and said that Ollie Watkins was a non-stop threat up top.
Declan Rice praises Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after beating Arsenal
Rice initially spoke about how tough the result was to stomach itself, and then praised Villa for taking their chances.
He said: “It’s tough, really tough to take.
“Especially with the chances we had in the first half, the spaces there was. We had to take one of them because in the Premier League, teams will come back to bite you and hurt you.
“That’s what Villa did in the second half.”
“We’ve been so dominant in games but Villa have got some unbelievable players, technically unreal and Ollie up front is a constant goal threat.
“If you can’t win games of football, don’t lose. Look up at the clock with 15 to go and it’s 0-0, if you aren’t going to win then you take a point, especially in these situations.
“So to lose is a real kick in the teeth.”
Of course, the Aston Villa striker was everything that Arsenal didn’t have today, a calm and clinical presence in front of goal.
Watkins’ delightful second half chip now makes it 19 league goals for the season, an incredible feat, putting him just one strike behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
And if the £28m-striker was able to win the Golden Boot this season, it really would be an historic moment for both him and the club.
All that being said, Daniel Gabbidon was amazed by a different Aston Villa star today.
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