Aston Villa man shared his concern over his rivalry with the Manchester United loanee in the fight for a spot in the starting XI.
Aston Villa are back in the Champions League next season following their success in finishing fourth in the Premier League table and winning the Europa League in 2025/26. The club’s return to UEFA’s top-flight competition appears to bring back the inconvenience experienced by Villa’s main star up front, Ollie Watkins.
The current Aston Villa forward apparently felt discomfort during the second half of the 2024/25 season when the club opted to bring in Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford to bolster the squad as Villa progressed through the knockout stages of the Champions League. He shared his view during an interview on Rio Ferdinand Presents, as reported by Birmingham Mail.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. There were times (at Villa) where I was on the bench and he was keeping me out of the team, and I was frustrated, not because of him. It was just that I wanted to play, but I could understand it, you know?”
Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio were signed on a short-term basis to provide competition for Watkins. The former Brentford man has been the number-one striker for the West Midlands side over the past few years. To compete at the top level, where consistency matters, relying on only one forward is unwise.
There were times when Watkins was not at his peak. That is when experienced players like Rashford and Asensio stepped up, which they did. However, it still left some disappointment for Watkins as it cost him opportunities to play in big games. Villa’s match against PSG in the Champions League quarter-final was an example of such a moment.
“There were times where, like, the PSG game, he absolutely ripped them apart. And I’m on the sideline, I’m thinking, I shouldn’t come on there, really.”
Watkins did lose his spot against PSG in both fixtures as Emery picked Rashford to lead the line instead of operating on the left flank. He was in form and even provided an assist in the second leg at home when Villa beat the eventual champions 3-2. Watkins only came off the bench. Nevertheless, he admitted his rival’s fine form as he added:
“Like, I don’t have an ego. Like, I thought he was, because you read things and stuff like that, but I knew Marcus’s talent, and I knew that the manager would get the best out of him. And to be fair, he did. And, like, he was unbelievable. His ability is, yeah, it’s frightening.”
The Torquay-born forward eventually only lost his place as a starter in the biggest matches that season. During the second half of the campaign, he still managed to contribute six goals and three assists in the Premier League, but registered no goal contributions in the Champions League.
Rashford, on the other hand, provided competition and support with four goals and six assists in all competitions, including two assists in the Champions League and two goals plus three assists in the Premier League.
As the 2026/27 season approaches and the fixtures have been released, it remains unclear whether the 30-year-old frontman will face similar competition again, either from Rashford or another forward. Emery does aim to add another striker to provide support for the team during this summer transfer window.
However, the Manchester United loanee’s return to Villa Park is still on the cards, no matter how far-fetched it may seem. His situation with Barcelona is becoming increasingly uncertain as the Catalan side allowed the opportunity to activate his purchase option to pass. This means they are only interested in another loan deal, something Manchester United are not particularly keen on.
This could open the door for Villa to sign him permanently for only £26 million, a bargain for a forward of his quality. Emery remains a fan of him too after his fine form with Barcelona. Only time will tell whether Watkins and Rashford will be competing again for a starting place next season.
One thing for sure, such would not happen in England, despite both make the cut in the final squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup. England boss tends to deploy them in different positions instead.
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