Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa should have scored more against Spurs

Watkins was on target for his 14th Premier League goal of the season on Wednesday night.

With skipper Jack Grealish making his first start since returning from injury, Villa looked a potent force going forward in the 2-1 victory, with youngster Carney Chukwuemeka hitting the post late on in his first-team debut as a substitute.

Watkins said: “We dug in well and it was a great defensive performance, but also going forward.

“I think we should have punished them, and it could have been more.”

He added: “I think I could have got one more, but I was a bit unlucky. I’m loving it – especially when we play like that and we push forward and create chances.

“It’s enjoyable to play in. Hopefully I can get to 15 and that’s a good tally come the end of the season.”

Watkins is also looking forward to hopefully adding to his impressive goals tally in front of home fans at Villa Park on Sunday.

“I’ve been waiting all year,” he said. “My family haven’t come to a game, so I want them to see what it’s all about. It feels much louder than 10,000 fans, so I can’t wait for it to be a full stadium.”

Meanwhile, young debutants Chukwuemeka and Jaden Philogene-Bidace were both delighted as they made their bows from the bench at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the win.

Chukwuemeka said: “It felt amazing.

“It’s every young footballer’s dream to make their Premier League debut and for me to do it was just a dream come true.

“It’s the proudest moment of my career so far.”

And the star of Villa under-18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup final almost capped his debut with a goal.

He said on the club’s Villa TV: “As soon as the opportunity fell to me, I just thought ‘let me hit it and try my luck’.

“Unluckily it hit the post, so next time maybe.”

Philogene-Bidace added: “It was a very good opportunity for me and my family.

“It was very, very good.”

Asked what head coach Dean Smith had told him, Philogene-Bidace added: “He said ‘enjoy it, good experience, be confident as soon as you get on’.

“And I think that’s what I did. Just played how I usually play.”