Unai Emery exclusive: Aston Villa boss sings praises of Ollie Watkins – 'His mentality is the best quality'

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has praised the mentality of striker Ollie Watkins in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.

Watkins has been in outstanding form for Villa this season, scoring 19 goals to help his team to fourth in the Premier League table.

Villa host Chelsea on Saturday evening as they look to consolidate their place in the top four, with coverage starting at 19:00 UK time on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"He’s amazing," Emery enthused. "Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing.

"When he is scoring goals, it's the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he's contributing to help the team. But even when he's not doing both, he's working for the team.

"Defensively, the commitment was always high. He is in the press to the opponent.

"His commitment and behaviour is always a very good example for others. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has."

Watkins is now in contention to represent England at Euro 2024 and has been tipped to be selected ahead of rival strikers Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke.

Emery said Watkins "deserves completely" to be included in the squad, which will be named by manager Gareth Southgate on May 21.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been another standout player for Villa this season, keeping eight clean sheets.

Emery said he hoped he would be coaching Martinez for a "long time", describing him as an "important" member of the squad.

"He shows us his capacity to be demanding of himself to increase his level, to get the best level as a goalkeeper in the world," he added.

"Everybody appreciates him in the dressing room because always his commitment is high with the club, with his team-mates."

With Martinez in goal and Watkins leading the attack, Villa have become a tricky proposition in the Premier League this season. This is particularly the case at Villa Park.

"We want to build and to create the strongest atmosphere when at home," Emery explained.

"The energy we can have to connect our supporters with us, and every opponent coming to play here to feel really uncomfortable. We have to feel comfortable playing with our supporters."

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