Published: 22:57, 26 February 2026 | Updated: 22:57, 26 February 2026

Unai Emery has backed Ollie Watkins to find his best form in time to haul Aston Villa into next season's Champions League.

Watkins has looked well below-par for much of this season, yet he has still managed eight goals in the league. 

Yet with Tammy Abraham making an impressive start to his second spell at Villa, Watkins is now under pressure for his starting place for Friday's meeting at Wolves, the Premier League's bottom club.

Even though he chose Jhon Duran and Marcus Rashford ahead of Watkins at different times last season, this term Emery has been unwavering in his support of the 30-year-old.

He said: 'There are still matches to play and I believe he will achieve his objective, scoring goals and adding more assists. 

'We have enough matches to play. Our challenges are collective, but the players must get them by producing individual numbers for the team.

Ollie Watkins has rarely found top form yet he has still scored eight times this season

'I...