Unai Emery’s influence on one player has become more clear than ever after the Aston Villa ace struggled on the international stage.
Following the highs of the 2023/24 campaign at Aston Villa, many of Unai Emery’s star players will now spend the summer on international duty.
The Villans will return recharged for next season, which will include a Champions League quest, hopeful of building on their international form through the summer.
Two Villa representatives were in action for England last night, as Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa had contrasting nights at St James’ Park.
Ollie Watkins struggled for England against Bosnia
St James’ Park played host to England’s warm-up to the Euros against Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the game ended in a 3-0 victory for Gareth Southgate’s side.
Three goals flattered the hosts, who were sluggish throughout aside from some glistening individual displays from the likes of Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze in attack.
Konsa was praised by Stan Collymore for his England performance, as he had a near-perfect night in the North East, one contrasting to Watkins.
Journalist Jason Burt dubbed the Villa striker’s display as a ‘struggle’ and ‘minimal’, via the Telegraph, which was understandable feedback to a degree.
As seen above, it was a dreary night for the 28-year-old, who failed to show his dazzling domestic form in an England shirt once more.
In March, Watkins was criticised for his performance against Brazil, which led to an influx of figures doubting his claim to make the squad to go to the Euros.
Having contributed to 32 Premier League goals in 2023/24, Watkins doesn’t look like the same player in an England shirt as he does in claret and blue, but why?
Unai Emery gives Watkins something that Gareth Southgate does not
It’s easy for doubters to say that ‘Watkins isn’t at international level’, but the player who dominated the Premier League last term says otherwise.
The difference between Watkins in a Villa shirt and Watkins in an England shirt is the man on the sidelines, as Southgate fails to give the striker what he is handed by Emery.
At Villa, the talisman plays with structure and an understanding of his role in the side, seeing him dazzle when dropping back to help create positive strings of play.
Watkins’ creative edge saw him pick up the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award for 2023/24, yet he struggles to express himself greatly in that area under Southgate.
It’s no secret that the England boss’ tactics are questionably stale, given the talent that the Three Lions have in their arsenal and the lack of spark when they all come together on the pitch.
A column via The Athletic detailed just how impactful Emery is on Watkins’ game, as the striker reflected on the hours the manager asks him to spend watching over how to improve his game.
Such level of understanding is translated from the coach’s ideas to Watkins’ performances at domestic level, an element that is redundant on the international stage.
The issue of the striker in an England shirt isn’t about his quality, but more about his understanding of what is needed, a trait evident in players beyond the Villa star within Southgate’s squad.
Emery has sculpted Watkins into an all-rounder, his Premier League numbers last term were no fluke, as is his claim to the England squad.
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