Emi Martinez has hailed Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa’s best signing of the summer, on the club’s official website.
Villa’s recruitment in the last transfer window has received great praise, with their additions clearly taking the team to a new level.
Dean Smith’s side brought in the likes of Ross Barkley, Matty Cash and Bertrand Traore over the summer, and they have all had a big impact at Villa Park.
But it is Watkins who has impressed Martinez more than anyone else.
Martinez said: “He was killing himself for not scoring for nine games, but he was doing really well, holding the ball up and running the channels and defending from him, but he wasn’t scoring.
“I talked to him and said ‘mate you are giving so much, you are so important for us’.
“I think he’s the best signing so far this football club and now he’s scoring game after game.”
Watkins does indeed seem to have found his scoring groove again of late.
His winner against Arsenal at the weekend was his fourth goal in five games, and his 10th for the season in the Premier League.
Villa invested fairly heavily to bring Watkins to the club in summer, but their faith has been rewarded and his value has only grown since his arrival.
Villa’s win over Arsenal has lifted them up to ninth place in the Premier League table.
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