Aston Villa respond to Ollie Watkins and Steven Gerrard bust-up rumours

Aston Villa have responded to reports of a bust-up between Ollie Watkins and the club’s manager Steven Gerrard.

It had been reported that Villa were looking to sell Watkins during this transfer window and that the England international has a difficult relationship with Gerrard. Watkins was also left out of the starting line-up during Villa’s opening day defeat at Bournemouth.

However, the club’s communications director has branded the rumours as ‘absolute nonsense’ on Twitter.

Villa’s season got off to the worst possible start following their 2-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (6 August). It’s the second-season in a row that Villa have struggled on the opening day and the fans have not been impressed with what they have seen.

Here’s a snippet of some of the reaction from the claret and blue faithful:

@Andy1009392: Absolutely disgraceful performance from the players and staff, Gerrards insistence on picking countinho who is an absolute shadow of the player he once was is bordering on embarrassing. Like the managers son being picked on a Sunday morning, pathetic performance.

@baileyzboyz: Nice one gerrard keep picking coutinho, mcginn and watkins mate we will definitely get europe.

@TomUTFV: Can someone please tell me what John mcgin offers to us? Hasn’t been good enough since we got promoted.

@kirky_splenders: POOR !60% effort, tactics none existent and predictable, Mr Gerrard its alright being sergeant major and all demanding but if you other skill on tactics & play is not there it means nothing , now Micheal Beale has gone we can see he was the brains only 1 player stood out,Kamara.

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