17 December 2023 , 19:31
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Aston Villa have offered their support to star striker Ollie Watkins after his fiery row with a Brentford supporter on Sunday.
Watkins scored Villa's winner at the Gtech Community Stadium, but it's what happened after the goal that's led to Villa's response. The 27-year-old stood in Brentford's net and shouted towards the home fans before pointing at one individual in particular.
Watkins' reaction was surprising considering he scored 49 goals during a four-year spell at Brentford before joining Villa in a £33million deal in September 2020. He won the Championship's Player of the Year award during his final season with the Bees.
The England international explained his celebration after Sunday's game. He said it was directed at one person who was 'abusing him all game' and insists he still 'loves' Brentford. He's also spoke to Bees boss Thomas Frank about the tense incident.
Villa released a statement shortly after their victory to support Watkins. 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."
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Watkins explained the incident to reporters. He said: "It was a bit of a feisty game, it all spurred from my celebration but that’s not down to a lack of respect for the fans. I love the club, the players and staff, I’ve not got a bad word to say against them.
"But there was one person who was abusing me all game, the celebration wasn’t to anyone else but it was directed directly at him. (Frank) asked me why I had celebrated like that, I’m still on texting terms with him but it’s because of that reason.
Tensions boiled over at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday (PA)What did you make of Ollie Watkins' celebration on Sunday? Let us know in the comments below!
"I feel like I’ve done so much for the club and they’ve done so much for me, football’s football and you can have a bit of banter but not when it’s personal. If the club don’t believe me it’s up to them - but I’ve explained it to Thomas and he knows I wouldn’t do that for no reason. It agitated me and that’s what happened."
Brentford took the lead when Keane Lewis-Potter scored on the stroke of half-time. Ben Mee's dismissal in the 71st minute turned the game on its head, with Alex Moreno and Watkins scoring late on. Boubacar Kamara was sent off for Villa in added-time.
In total, there were two players sent off and 10 other players booked. Villa boss Unai Emery, who was also shown a yellow card, admitted: "At the end some moments, some behaviour, of us as well, I'm going to manage our behaviour and take control of it.
"I will analyse it with our players because it was not normal. We were a bit excited and we needed control of ourselves. When you are reacting like that, other players and the other opponent is maybe not being in good behaviour like the match needed."