Simon Jordan shares Aston Villa theory after Ollie Watkins' 'fuming' comments

Who leads the line for Aston Villa at the moment is a hot topic of debate - pundit Simon Jordan has given his verdict

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12:50, 23 APR 2025

Marcus Rashford (L) and Ollie Watkins (R) of Aston Villa

Simon Jordan has been left musing over the idea whether Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is opting for Marcus Rashford over Ollie Watkins at the moment in order to give the Manchester United loanee his best chance of earning a permanent move in the summer.

Villa forward Watkins, who will become the club's outright most successful ever forward of the Premier League era when he scores his next goal, joined the club from Brentford in 2020 and has been a crucial component of the side which has established Villa as a force again in the top flight. Last year alone he contributed towards 42 goals in all competitions.

Recently, though, he has been made to share the responsibilities and limelight with forward Rashford, who was given the nod to start against PSG both home and away and then again at Manchester City in the Premier League on Tuesday night. It prompted comments from Watkins following the victory over Newcastle United at the weekend, when he opened the scoring.

"I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn't playing - I let him [Unai Emery] know that," Watkins told Sky Sports. "He's the manager, you have to respect his decision, [but] I am not one of these players happy to sit on the bench.

"It is something I have not experienced before, to miss out on the biggest stage. I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games."

Pundit Jordan, the former Crystal Palace chairman, wonders if Rashford is being prioritised in the run-in, in the bigger games, as Emery pushes hard for owners NSWE to secure his services from Man United on a permanent basis in the summer window. Jordan also questioned whether Watkins is the top tier forward to lead Villa where they want to go.

"I don't think he's as good as Alexander Isak," Jordan told talkSPORT. "I think that's top tier. I think Watkins is a good player - he was a very good player at Brentford, I think he's been a decent player for Aston Villa. I've always liked him because he adopts the right attitude for the game.

"Does anyone else in the world, besides in sport, use the expression 'fuming'? I don't think I've ever 'fumed' about anything in my life outside of observing sport. You never hear that the head of Lloyds bank was fuming.

"I don't know if [Watkins' comments] were advisable or ill-advised - what Danny [Murphy] likes about the comments were that he was honest. Whether that needed to be said, about him not being happy to be on the bench, that would niggle any top class player.

"It does illustrate the power players now have, because this would not have been said a few years ago. Maybe the playing of Rashford is more strategic than you think. Maybe Emery wants to convince his board that this player is worth buying."

Villa's defeat at City on Tuesday means they now face a difficult challenge if they're to book a second consecutive season in the Champions League; they'll likely now need to win all four of their remaining league games and hope for slip ups elsewhere from rivals City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

"They'll be realistic to know that qualifying for the Champions League is difficult and if they won the FA Cup I think they'd be thrilled," Jordan continued. "Of course they want to be in the Champions League, but they'll be in Europe next year anyway if they win the FA Cup so will have some compensation.

"The Europa League itself still offers some significant games and opportunities. Given the fact Villa have been out of the European competitions for the bulk of 40 years, they're still going to enjoy the opportunities of playing in a lesser European competition. They'll still have that opportunity.

"The thing for Villa which might be disappointing and which might be debilitating is if they get none of the above. It's no good having this wonderful little tour around Europe and then getting knocked out by PSG, everyone patting you on the back.

"It means nothing in the great scheme of things. If you lose the FA Cup opportunity and you don't finish in the Champions League or European spots, then what have you got? I would think they will. They're building."