'He does' - Wayne Rooney on Aston Villa game-changer amid Unai Emery selection headache for Arsenal showdown

Aston Villa kept up pace with leaders Arsenal and Manchester City as Unai Emery’s side came from behind late on to win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and sink Champions League rivals Chelsea in a major statement of intent by the Villans.

Their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions and eighth successive win in the Premier League meant that the West Midlands outfit remain just three points behind the Gunners, whom they visit on Tuesday in a mammoth clash in north London.

Despite a slow start in the first half where Villa did not have a single shot on the Chelsea goal, Emery’s men stayed in the game and launched a second-half fightback after a triple substitution by the Spaniard just prior to the hour mark.

The victory meant that Villa’s title race shouts continue to build. The shouts have become ever louder after the Birmingham outfit maintained a seven-point gap on fourth-placed Liverpool, with Chelsea and Manchester United another three points behind after that.

Striker Ollie Watkins has seen his criticism this season after a challenging opening to the campaign, but the England man was the match-winner on Saturday with a second-half double after his introduction from the bench. Former Three Lions and Man United legend Wayne Rooney had his say on the 29-year-old’s decisive impact.

Rooney on impact of super-sub Watkins

“I thought the three lads who came on were excellent and really made a big difference to this Aston Villa team,” said Rooney, speaking on BBC Match of the Day.

“[Amadou] Onana was a big presence when he came on in the middle of the pitch, winning the ball back, and then that freed up the likes of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins. The weight on the pass [from Rogers for Watkins’ first goal], the detail on that pass is fantastic, and Ollie Watkins has a good first touch, gets a bit of luck with the finish but he put himself in the right position.

“Jadon Sancho came into this as well and I thought we haven’t seen much of him this season, but I thought he was excellent when he came on, getting the ball, driving with the ball and committing the Chelsea defenders.”

Asked by presenter Gabby Logan whether Watkins now gives Emery a selection headache ahead of one of their biggest matches of the season away at Arsenal, Rooney responded: “He does. I think we need to see more from him this season, because he has started games and he hasn’t scored goals.

“But he’s on the bench today, and he’s answered his manager in the right way. He’s scored two goals and won Aston Villa the game.”

‘It’s an amazing feeling’ - Watkins after his match-winning contribution

After the final whistle, Watkins reflected on his role in Villa’s fightback following a frustrating start to the season personally, which had seen him score just three times in all competitions prior to this weekend.

Watkins said: “To come on and get the two goals to win is an amazing feeling, and obviously we’re doing unreal in the league. Yeah, we just keep winning and I don’t think we look like slowing down either.”

Manager Emery added: “[Watkins] was so, so focused. Keeping the gameplan like we planned, disciplined doing it, and doing his task. He’s normally getting his numbers, and today scoring goals is, of course, fantastic.”

With what could be an exciting remainder of the campaign for Villa ahead and a World Cup around the corner next summer, Watkins will have every motivation to rediscover his unstoppable best in 2026 as he aims to play an important role in firing both club and country to glory.