Aston Villa vs Brentford ends in chaos with Emery furious amid Watkins admission
Ollie Watkins shouldered responsibility for an on-pitch brawl between Aston Villa and Brentford after being ‘abused’ by a supporter.
The England striker was on hand to complete the turnaround for Unai Emery’s side after Keane Lewis-Potter and Alex Moreno had exchanged strikes. Watkins celebrated after his winner as he stood in the net with his arms on his hips.
That triggered an angry reception from the home crowd and the Brentford players, while the tie grew increasingly ill-tempered. A number of stars piled into the net as tempers flared even towards the end of the game.
Boubacar Kamara was sent off, while Emi Martinez appeared to shove Neal Maupay, with boss Unai Emery acting as peacemaker as a number of players charged in once again.
Watkins was probed about the incident after the game and claimed his celebration in the direction of a fan abusing him could have been the trigger. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Obviously it was a bit of a feisty game, I think it all spurred from my celebrations when I scored. But that’s not down to a lack of respect for the Brentford fans.
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“I love the club and the players and staff here. I’ve not got a bad word to say about everyone. I’ve done so much for them and they’ve done so much for me but there was one individual that was abusing me all game so I felt it was only right I celebrated in front of him.
“It wasn’t to anyone else, it was only directed at him. That caused a bit of a reaction for the last 15 minutes but we got the three points.”
Tempers flare after Ollie Watkins winning goal vs Brentford (PA)Where will Aston Villa finish this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Amid Watkins' claims, Aston Villa have issued a statement condemning the supporter's actions and have called on the relevant authorities to investigate. It read: "Aston Villa FC wants to express its support for Ollie Watkins and with the utmost respect for the big majority of Brentford fans and for the club, we ask the authorities to investigate this incident to find this individual. Zero tolerance to abuse in football."
Watkins was pictured deep in conversation with former manager Thomas Frank after the game. Asked what was said, the striker explained that his celebration was not personal.
“He said ‘why did you celebrate like that?’ and I’m still on texting terms with Thomas," Watkins explained. "I still speak to him on the phone. It’s because of that reason. Because of that guy giving me stick all game. I feel like I’ve done so much for the club. Football is football, you can have a bit of banter but not when it’s personal.
A brawl breaks out after Ollie Watkins' goal celebration vs Brentford (PA)“I’m not saying the things that he did. Everyone is calling me names and giving me all sorts of abuse around the stadium and it [the celebration] was because of him.”
While there appears to be no ill-feeling between Frank and Watkins, Villa boss Emery was left furious. He called out his side for a lack of ‘respect’ and confirmed that he would be holding talks with his players.
The Spaniard said: “We are happy with the result. We reacted. I’m not happy with our behaviour more or less. I want to analyse with the players individually and collectively. It is not my spirit when we are more or less playing and winning, we try to respect everything.
“Of course when they are on the pitch and excited as well. Both teams some nervous showing could happen, something like that. I want to work on it because the red card and some behaviour, I don’t want in my team.”
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He added: “I’m very happy but as well I want to focus the analyse in this match and trying to keep our mind in balance as well. That is always my message before the match, respect everything, respect the opponent, respect ourselves and the referees.
“More or less we do it, but today we lost a little bit of our minds in some behaviours. I want to focus and to react to try and control it.”
The win keeps Villa in third in the Premier League - four points clear of Manchester City. Meanwhile, Brentford sit third after their eighth league defeat of the campaign.
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