Why Ollie Watkins has ‘nothing to prove’ despite penalty miss in UEFA Europa League clash extending ‘dry spell’ at Aston Villa

React to this story

Ollie Watkins had a golden opportunity to open his goalscoring account this season, but missed from the spot in Aston Villa's UEFA Europa League win over Bologna on Thursday. Fortunately for Unai Emery's side, Villa held on for the win - their first in seven games - but Watkins' goalless run goes on. Here is what his manager, team-mates and TNT Sports pundits have had to say on how he can end it.

'The drought goes on!' - Watkins denied from the spot for Villa

Video credit: TNT Sports

Another game goes by without Ollie Watkins on the scoresheet for Aston Villa, after he missed a penalty in the club's opening UEFA Europa League victory at Villa Park on Thursday.

John McGinn's first-half goal gave the hosts the lead over Bologna, which they managed to protect until the full-time whistle to record their first win of the season at their seventh attempt.

After struggling for form so far this campaign, Watkins had a great chance to put his goalscoring struggles to bed when he stepped up for a penalty kick in the second half.

Transfers

Mudryk linked with surprise transfer - Paper Round

04/08/2026 at 09:08

But his lacklustre penalty was saved, as his wait for a goal this term goes on.

"Just wasn’t a confident penalty," Robbie Savage said following Watkins' spot-kick miss on TNT Sports commentary.

"It’s a poor penalty, no confidence at all. Big moment, the frustration will go on."

'This win will help us' - Emery urges Villa to be 'consistent' after first win of the season

Video credit: TNT Sports

Despite the disappointing outcome from 12 yards, Villa head coach Unai Emery was pleased with what he saw from his No. 9 on the night and believes the goals will come when his confidence returns.

"He worked today like he is, and this is the first step to recover his confidence," Emery said, speaking to TNT Sports.

"Then he has a penalty and he created chances too. The most important [thing] is to recover the confidence and then do his task like he did today, and then he will."

Watkins has 'nothing to prove'

Villa have found the net just three times in seven games this season.

Despite their leading attacker struggling in front of goal, captain John McGinn leapt to Watkins' defence after the game, suggesting that his current form is only temporary, whereas the 29-year-old's class is permanent.

'He's a top class striker' - McGinn defends teammate Watkins after penalty miss

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Ollie's a top-class striker," McGinn told TNT Sports. "He's not in the England squad for nothing.

"He's shown over the years here how good of a striker he is, and if he's not scoring, that's fine.

"You see the effort he puts in for the team. We don't need to put any pressure on Ollie, we don't need to add to any external noise. He's been brilliant to us, and he's got nothing to prove to us."

And McGinn was not the only one in Watkins' corner following another tough night for the England international.

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves feels that the striker, who has scored 87 goals in 230 appearances for Villa - as well as five in 19 for his country - has the quality to rediscover his best goalscoring form.

Watkins 'too good not to turn it around' as goal drought goes on, says Hargreaves

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Watkins will be annoyed," the TNT Sports expert said. "I think he should just hit it with conviction.

"He is going through a bit of a dry spell and he will get chances and he will score goals.

"When confidence is down, it is hard as a player. But he is too good to not turn this around."

Watkins' best season in a Villa shirt came during the 2023/24 campaign, when he struck 27 times in 53 matches across all competitions, while he registered 15 assists.

The following term - last season - he scored 17 and assisted 14 in 54 games, and he has managed 10+ goals in each of his last five top-flight campaigns.

- - -

Watch the 2025/26 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+

UEFA Super Cup