Ollie Watkins has a message for his Aston Villa manager Unai Emery - he wants to be starting the biggest games. The striker said he'd been "fuming" to only be a substitute for both of Villa's Champions League quarter-final ties against Paris St-Germain. But against Newcastle on Saturday he channelled his anger perfectly as he scored inside the opening minute and set up another to propel his side to a brilliant 4-1 win. His goal meant he became Villa's joint-top Premier League goalscorer - alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor - on 74. But, despite his record-equalling feats, Watkins has started just two of the club's past six games, a fact he is not best pleased with. Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford started Tuesday's Champions League second-leg tie, with Watkins coming on in the second half as Villa were knocked out. "I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games. I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn't playing - I let him [Unai Emery] know that," Watkins told Sky Sports. "He's the manager, you have to respect his decision, [but] I am not one of these players happy to sit on the bench. "It is something I have not experienced before, to miss out on the biggest stage. I wanted to be out on the pitch for much longer. I have played a big part to get to where we are today and I want to play in those games." When asked about Watkins' comments Emery replied: "It's fantastic to be angry and fantastic for him to play like he did [against Newcastle]." Watkins believes Emery will now have "a headache" over his next starting XI. "I'm banging on the door asking why I'm not playing," he added, while also pointing out Villa's strength in depth. "Since I have been at Villa, a lot of fans would say it is the best squad we have had. "The signings we made in January, players like Rashford and [Marco] Asensio coming in, the quality means players like myself have to drop to the bench and there's going to be lots of rotation." With Emery preferring Rashford in the starting XI in four of Villa's past six games, speculation that Watkins may move away from Villa has risen this week. Villa rejected a £40m bid for Watkins from Arsenal in January. Earlier this season Watkins himself was keeping Jhon Duran out of the team, and the Colombian left Villa in the winter transfer window for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in a deal that could be worth up to £71m. Villa are yet to make any indication as to whether they will try to sign Rashford on a permanent deal in the summer. The 27-year-old's loan deal runs until the end of the season and includes an option to buy for £40m. Villa's next match is away to Manchester City on Tuesday, before Emery's side take on Crystal Palace in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday. The 29-year-old needed just 33 seconds to open the scoring against Newcastle, receiving the ball in the box and finding the net with a fierce shot which deflected off defender Fabian Schar. Watkins was the best player on the pitch and twice hit the woodwork in the first period. At 1-0 he clattered an effort against the underside of the crossbar, and at 1-1 had a thumping header hit the post. The England international set up Villa's second with a driving dart forward before slipping in Ian Maatsen with a perfectly weighted pass. And he otherwise impressed with tireless runs, fine hold-up play and continual pressing. Watkins was substituted in the 82nd minute, by which point Villa were already 4-1 up and Villa Park was chanting his name. Ex-Aston Villa defender Dion Dublin, told BBC Match of the Day: "I am delighted, why wouldn't be fuming? You can imagine his frustration. Be honest and tell people what you think." Former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp said Watkins' performance was "dynamite" and believes the striker "has turned a massive negative into a positive". "He has played with anger. I have been here, you are fuming and want to knock the manager's door down. He channelled that in the right way," Redknapp added. Watkins' goal means he is the first Villa player to score 15 or more times in three consecutive Premier League seasons. Since the start of last season he has both scored and assisted in eight Premier League games, with only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah doing so on more occasions.

Some members of the National executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, have stated that the party’s future largely depends on the upcoming National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15. The NEC members, Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor and Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, They described the convention as a defining moment that could either make or break the PDP. PDP recently overcame a prolonged internal crisis that had lasted for months. During crisis period, several prominent party figures defected to the All Progressives Congress and the newly formed coalition, the African Democratic Congress. To reposition the party and bring in fresh leadership, the PDP resolved on July 24 at its 101st NEC meeting to hold a National Elective Convention aimed at electing 19 new members of the National Working Committee. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, Osadolor said he expected a credible convention that would position the party for success in the 2027 elections. He stated, “My expectations are not different from those of well-meaning Nigerians and loyal party faithful. I expect that we get the elective convention right through a credible process. “This will allow new leaders to emerge to reposition the party and ensure that there will be no issues in the future — that is, without controversy and drama. “I also believe that if the party gets it right, there will be hope for the party in 2027. So, the convention is very crucial to the future of the PDP.” Similarly, Osuoha expressed optimism that the convention would be conducted in a free and fair manner that would strengthen the party’s unity. He added, “The convention should be free, fair, and credible so that it will be acceptable to all members of the party.” Every member must be allowed to exercise their franchise. “The last NEC constituted a zoning committee which will come up with a clear position on which zone will produce which NWC position. So, the next NEC will consider this. “The November 15 and 16 convention is very fundamental to the future of PDP. If we are able to conduct a rancour-free convention to elect party leaders and the 2027 Presidential candidate, Nigerians will start taking the party seriously. “If the convention is free, fair, and credible, Nigerians will repose confidence in PDP as the only party that can rescue them from the failed administration of the All Progressives Congress. “The convention is very fundamental and key; that is why every member of the party is working round the clock to ensure that all loose ends are tied.”

Departing Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne says he was surprised not to be offered a new contract by the club. The 33-year-old announced at the beginning of the month he would be leaving the Etihad when his current deal expires at the end of the season. The Belgian midfielder also said he has not made any decisions about his future. "I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision," said De Bruyne. "Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I'm showing, but I understand clubs have to make decisions." De Bruyne joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015 and has won 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023. He also suggested the club's struggles this year may have contributed to the decision, although Saturday's 2-0 win at Everton boosted their hopes of securing a Champions League sport for next season. De Bruyne has struggled with injuries, having missed almost five months of last season when City won their fourth consecutive Premier League title, playing just 26 games in all competitions, and has started just 19 matches this term. Announcing his departure on social media earlier this month, he admitted "whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye", while City manager Guardiola added "it was not easy for me to tell him it [his City career] won't continue". De Bruyne has not ruled out staying in the Premier League, but has also been linked with Major League Soccer in the United States. "I feel like I still have a lot to give," he added. "Obviously I know I'm not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job. "I'm open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I'm looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family. "I like to play football. I like to compete. That's what I feel, so I can't say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I'm in training I want to beat the guys." City host fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa in their next match on Tuesday, before facing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday, 27 April.

A former Kogi lawmaker, Dino Melaye, has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party is no longer functioning as an independent opposition but has instead been purchased by the ruling All Progressives Congress. Melaye made the claim on Friday while speaking on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. “PDP has been purchased. By who? By APC. “PDP is a parastatal of APC. PDP is a department of APC. “In fact, they take dates for NEC meetings and dates for when to have NWC from the villa,” he said. The former lawmaker questioned the posture of PDP governors, alleging that they are not acting as opposition figures. “Just look at the number of governors in PDP today. Are these governors acting like opposition governors? It’s a question I’m putting up to you. “You know the role of an opposition and you know how powerful Nigerian governors are. “Are they playing opposition role as governors and those who are remaining in PDP are holding forth for APC?” he asked. He also took a swipe at former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, over comments he claimed undermined the opposition’s credibility. “With due respect to my uncle Babangida Aliyu, you heard him just two days ago saying that on her eyes he said if we can tolerate Buhari for eight years then we should tolerate uh for another four years. “Is that the voice of an opposition person? Is that a statement coming from somebody who is not a member of APC?” he said. Describing the political moment as troubling, Melaye said, “What I’m telling you in essence is that we live in precarious times. “We live in times of visits to the vaccination. “We live in times when the devil determines the next menu for his children and what we are seeing if not abated my brother.” Melaye, who is now aligned with the African Democratic Congress, described the party as a moral movement for Nigerians seeking change. “Why Nigerians should think differently is that once there’s an altar call in the church of God, only those who are emotionally affected, only those who have conscience, only those who are ready to leave darkness and move to light, respond to altar calls. So ADC is an altar call. “It’s a national altar call. And those of us who have conscience, those of us who believe in a new order, those of us who want to see a Nigeria where we will be able to answer questions from our grandchildren, who will ask us in the next, maybe when we are 90 and toothless, that when Nigeria was getting bad, Grandpa, what did you do? We want to be able to say we did A, B, C, and D. “Not everybody in ADC, understand, is a saint. “But what I’m telling you is that everybody who moved into ADC is concerned about Nigeria,” Melaye said.