Unai Emery singled out the "fantastic" partnership of Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers after Aston Villa kicked off 2026 with a convincing 3-1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.
Villa Start New Year with Emphatic Home Win
The result on 3rd January 2026 marked an impressive 11th consecutive home win for Emery's side, providing the perfect response to a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal the previous week. Captain John McGinn stole the headlines with a stunning brace, but it was the connection between his attacking teammates that drew special post-match acclaim from the head coach.
Watkins, celebrating his 250th appearance for the club, opened the scoring with a fine 20-yard curler. This goal represented his fourth in his last three Premier League matches, signalling a welcome return to form after a difficult start to the 2025/26 season where he had managed just three goals in his opening 17 league games.
Emery's Delight at Watkins' Resurgence
When questioned about the striker's resurgence, a relaxed Emery expressed his consistent satisfaction. "I was happy two months ago. I am happy now," the Spaniard stated. "For him it is much, much better. Even when he wasn't scoring, others were scoring. We need every player focused like him. The numbers are important because it makes them a protagonist. It is fantastic."
'Wow' Reaction to Premier League-Topping Partnership
The manager's praise intensified when it was revealed that no duo in the entire Premier League has combined for more goals over the past 12 months than Watkins and Rogers. The pair have assisted one another for 10 goals during that period.
"Wow, Morgan and Watkins are both fantastic players," Emery responded. "They are fantastic competitors themselves. Their commitment to Aston Villa is massive. They set standards with their behaviour every day in the training ground. They are so professional in everything and it is fantastic to have players like them. I am proud of them."
Villa Look to Maintain Momentum
Villa fans will now hope this dynamic attacking understanding continues during a crucial run of fixtures. The team faces a trip to bogey side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, followed by an Emirates FA Cup third-round away tie at Tottenham Hotspur. A Premier League home fixture against Everton follows shortly after.
The form of Watkins and Rogers, now statistically the most potent combination in the division, will be central to Villa's ambitions across all competitions as they aim to build on their strong home form.
