Troy Deeney has praised Unai Emery for how the head coach has ‘transformed’ Aston Villa and especially how the Spaniard has developed Ollie Watkins as a prolific striker.
The 27-year-old’s progress since Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa’s manager is a shining example of the Spaniard’s success. Deeney always felt Watkins struggled to lead a line under the Villa Park outfit’s previous bosses. But he is now an intelligent and lethal star.
Watkins signed for Aston Villa under another of the claret-and-blue club’s old head coaches, Dean Smith, in September 2020. The Birmingham outfit spent an at-the-time club-record fee of £28m, plus £5m in add-ons. But Watkins only scored 18 goals in 49 games under Smith.
Unai Emery has ‘transformed’ Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa
Gerrard further coaxed just 10 goals in 39 games across all competitions out of Watkins over his 11-month tenure. Yet Emery has already seen Watkins score 27 goals in 48 games, along with offering 12 assists. The striker penned four assists under Gerrard and five under Smith.
Watkins has also offered eight goals and eight assists in 15 Premier League games so far this season under Emery. His haul follows on from scoring 13 times across 24 top-flight games in 2022/23 after Emery replaced Gerrard. Watkins even enjoyed a run of 11 goals in 12 games.
Troy Deeney explains what has changed for Ollie Watkins
One of the key reasons why Deeney felt Watkins always struggled under Smith and Gerrard was the Torquay native’s desire to play out wide at Aston Villa. But Emery handed the nine-cap England international a stricter role through the centre and is fully reaping the rewards.
Now, Watkins is a shining example of the Aston Villa players Emery has revitalised since the days of Gerrard’s reign. The Exeter City product’s form under the ex-Arsenal boss also led to Watkins’ return to the Three Lions’ set-up this October for the first time since March 2022.
Deeney told The Sun: “From the full-back Lucas Digne, to midfielder Douglas Luiz, to striker Ollie Watkins – and several other players – Emery has just totally transformed Aston Villa.
“Ollie was always a fine player but he used to be a winger and under previous managers, there was a tendency for him to work too hard, to go wide and make too many runs. Now, he is conserving his energy and playing smart, which has a lot to do with Emery’s influence.”
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