Unai Emery Reveals Reasons Why He Objected to Ollie Watkins Becoming Aston Villa’s Captain…
In a candid and revealing interview, Unai Emery, the former head coach of Aston Villa, has finally shed light on one of the more puzzling decisions of his tenure at the club—his objection to making star striker Ollie Watkins the team captain. While Watkins has been a key figure on the pitch, consistently delivering goals and performances that have made him a fan favorite, Emery’s reluctance to hand him the captain’s armband has long been a subject of speculation and debate among fans and pundits alike. Now, with Emery no longer at the helm, the former coach has opened up about the factors that led to his decision.
A Star Player, But Not Captain Material?
Ollie Watkins has been one of Aston Villa’s most important players since his arrival from Brentford in 2020. His work rate, goal-scoring ability, and commitment to the team have made him a standout performer, and many saw him as the natural successor to take on the captaincy. Despite his on-field exploits, however, Emery made it clear during his time at the club that he had reservations about Watkins’ suitability for the captaincy role.
In his recent interview, Emery revealed that his decision was based on a combination of factors that went beyond Watkins’ performances on the pitch. “Ollie is an incredible player and an essential part of the team’s success, but being a captain requires more than just scoring goals,” Emery explained. “It’s about leadership, responsibility, and the ability to inspire and guide the team in difficult moments.”
According to Emery, Watkins, while an influential figure in matches, was not always comfortable in the leadership role that a captain must embody. “Ollie leads by example with his performances, but he is not someone who naturally takes charge vocally or in the dressing room. A captain needs to be a constant presence, someone who can rally the troops when things are tough, and that wasn’t Ollie’s strongest attribute,” Emery elaborated.
Leadership Styles and Team Dynamics
One of the key factors Emery pointed out was the difference between being a great player and being a leader. While Watkins has often been a game-changer for Aston Villa, Emery believed that leadership required a different set of skills—skills that go beyond personal performances and into the realm of managing relationships within the squad, handling pressure, and being a bridge between the coaching staff and players.
“There’s a certain dynamic in the dressing room that a captain must manage,” Emery explained. “It’s about understanding when to push your teammates, when to calm them down, and when to lead by speaking up. Some players lead through their actions, while others lead through their words and presence. For me, a captain must embody both.”
Emery further elaborated on the importance of having a vocal leader who can take control not only in games but also in training and team meetings. According to him, Watkins, while respected and admired by his teammates, tended to be more focused on his own game rather than taking on the additional responsibilities that come with being captain. Emery’s comments suggest that while Watkins is seen as a key component of Villa’s attacking setup, the demands of captaincy might have been too much of a distraction for him, potentially impacting his own performances.
The Influence of Experience
Another key reason behind Emery’s decision was the importance of experience in the role of captaincy. Emery felt that Ollie Watkins, despite his abilities on the field, was still relatively young and lacked the experience necessary to lead a team at the highest level. Emery preferred more seasoned players who had been through the ups and downs of a long career and understood the nuances of leadership in a high-pressure environment like the Premier League.
During his time at Villa, Emery leaned towards players like John McGinn and Tyrone Mings to wear the captain’s armband—players with more experience both in the Premier League and as leaders within the squad. McGinn, in particular, had been a consistent performer for Aston Villa for several years and was known for his leadership qualities both on and off the pitch. Emery’s preference for McGinn over Watkins was based on the midfielder’s ability to manage team dynamics, provide a calming influence, and maintain a strong rapport with both the coaching staff and the players.
“Maturity is a key aspect of being a captain,” Emery said. “It’s not just about how you perform on the pitch, but how you manage the dressing room, how you handle pressure, and how you support your teammates through the highs and lows of a season. I felt that at this stage in his career, Ollie was not ready for that level of responsibility.”
The Weight of the Armband
For Emery, another critical reason behind his objection to Ollie Watkins becoming captain was the potential impact it could have had on Watkins’ own performances. Emery expressed concerns that the additional responsibility of captaincy could weigh too heavily on the striker, possibly affecting his form and confidence. Watkins had been in excellent form under Emery, and the former coach was cautious about anything that could disrupt his progress.
“The captaincy is a heavy burden,” Emery said. “It requires focus, not just on your own game, but on everyone else’s. It can be draining, and I didn’t want that to interfere with Ollie’s ability to focus on what he does best—scoring goals and helping the team win.”
Emery’s concerns were not unfounded. There have been numerous examples in football history where players have struggled to balance their own performances with the added pressure of being captain. By allowing Watkins to focus solely on his own game, Emery believed he was protecting the striker’s form and ensuring that he could continue to play at his highest level without the distractions that come with the armband.
Ollie Watkins’ Reaction
Despite not being given the captaincy, Ollie Watkins has remained a professional throughout his time at Villa and has continued to perform at a high level. However, Emery’s decision was not without its challenges. There were reports that Watkins was initially disappointed with the decision, as he had seen himself as a potential leader within the squad. Nevertheless, Watkins has consistently shown a team-first attitude and has continued to play a crucial role in Aston Villa’s success.
Emery praised Watkins for his maturity in handling the situation: “Ollie understood my decision, and I respect him even more for the way he responded. He never let it affect his performances, and that speaks to his professionalism and commitment to the team.”
Looking to the Future
With Emery now having departed from Aston Villa, the question of whether Ollie Watkins could eventually become captain remains open. Some fans believe that with more experience and continued development, Watkins could grow into a leadership role within the team. However, much will depend on the direction the club takes under its next manager and whether Watkins feels ready to embrace the additional responsibilities that come with the captaincy.
For now, Watkins remains focused on his role as the team’s primary goal scorer, and there is no doubt that he will continue to be a vital part of Aston Villa’s future. Whether or not he takes on the captaincy one day, his importance to the team both on and off the pitch is undeniable.
Conclusion: A Tactical Decision
Unai Emery’s decision to object to Ollie Watkins becoming Aston Villa’s captain was a carefully considered one, based on a range of factors including leadership style, experience, and the potential impact on Watkins’ own performances. While many fans may have seen Watkins as a natural choice for the armband, Emery’s insights into the complexities of the role reveal that captaincy is about much more than just being the best player on the pitch. As Watkins continues to grow and develop as a player, there may yet be a time when he is ready to take on the responsibility of leading Aston Villa—but for now, his focus remains on doing what he does best: scoring goals and helping his team succeed.
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