Aston Villa have issued a strong statement after Ollie Watkins was abused by Brentford fans during their Premier League clash on Sunday.
Villa survived a scare from the Bees – with late goals from Alex Moreno and Watkins earning Unai Emery's three points points. However, after the game, the Englishman has revealed he was victim of abuse from one Brentford fan.
Aston Villa said in a statement: "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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While Watkins said: "I have nothing but respect for the Brentford fans, I love the club, but there was one individual who was abusing me all game – personal abuse that footballers should not need to deal with. You can have banter, but that wasn't banter, hence my celebration."
The striker netted the winner, after being booed all game, and he responded with a celebration that sparked an on-pitch melee.
What do you think of Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa's statement? Let us know in the comments section
Watkins told Sky: "[Thomas Frank] asked me why I had celebrated like that, I'm still on texting terms with him but it's because of that reason. 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."
Sky Sports added they believe the insults were surrounding Watkins' family, and they weren't racial in nature.
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