Unai Emery seen ‘furiously pointing’ at £28m Aston Villa star despite win vs Southampton

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Unai Emery was left angry by the actions of one Aston Villa star during their narrow victory over Southampton.

In an uninspiring game of football from both sets of players, it was Jhon Duran’s first-half strike that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Duran finally started a Premier League game this season and repaid Unai Emery for showing such faith by scoring his fifth league goal.

The 20-year-old worked ferociously and tirelessly during his audition to start ahead of Ollie Watkins, and perhaps he’ll get more chances from the off after what Emery was seen gesturing towards the Englishman.

Unai Emery was angry with Ollie Watkins during Southampton win

Watkins had started every single league match before they entertained the Saints on Saturday, earning a well-earned rest after scoring and assisting in midweek.

The 28-year-old came off the bench on the hour mark to replace Duran as the visitors went in search of an equaliser while Villa looked to kill off the game.

With Southampton committing bodies forward, the hosts had multiple chances to score in transition, and Watkins was guilty of missing a few brilliant opportunities.

Emery wasn’t happy that his side didn’t manage to kill off the game and called for some more urgency from the striker to get in the right position, ‘furiously pointing’ at the £28m man, as spotted by journalist Jacob Tanswell.

Last season, the former Brentford man would have buried some of the efforts he had in the second half, but Watkins lacked the killer finish after getting into a promising position.

It isn’t the first time he’s been wasteful in recent weeks, as Watkins was poor against Chelsea, and was lambasted for missing two golden chances.

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Emery has to stick with Jhon Duran vs Nottingham Forest

Duran did all he could to keep his place in the starting lineup by producing a moment of quality out of nothing.

Villa play RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek before travelling to Nottingham Forest next weekend, and the Colombian should be selected over Watkins.

Perhaps Emery will rotate in midweek, with Watkins returning to the XI however, regardless of what happens, Duran deserves to make his second Premier League start.

It doesn’t set a good precedent if the manager drops a player after they’ve scored and played well, with the youngster chomping at the bit to prove his unbelievable traits.