Jordan Henderson and Ajax coach John van’t Schip are under no illusions about the threat Ollie Watkins will pose during Thursday’s Europa Conference League last-16 first-leg tie with Aston Villa.
Second in the Premier League for goals and joint-top for assists, Ollie Watkins’ numbers make for pretty remarkable reading. But the statistics only tell a fraction of the story.
It is not so easy to quantify the work Aston Villa’s centre-forward does off the ball. His high-pressing, his channel-running. But Ajax coach John van’t Schip – and Watkins’ fellow England team-mate Jordan Henderson – know only too well that his threat is not merely restricted to his potency inside the penalty box.
Aston Villa face Ajax in the Europa Conference League
“(Watkins) is important for coach Unai Emery,” van’t Schip, the interim coach under contract until the end of this season, tells the Algemeen Dagblad. “The team can build up possession well, but can also play directly when necessary. Then, comes a long ball to Watkins.
“He is really a very strong point of contact. Fast and powerful, giving the rest of the team the opportunity to catch up very quickly.”
Watkins took his tally to 21 with a clinical brace in Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win at Luton Town. An Ajax side who have been shipping goals at an uncharacteristically rapid rate this season will need to be on guard then, especially with £20 million centre-back Josip Sutalo unavailable for Thursday’s first-leg.
Ajax have conceded 43 goals in 24 Eredivisie games. More than Almere City, Fortuna Sittard and an RKC Waalwijk side mired in the relegation zone.
31 goals or assists for Watkins this season
“I’m a fan of his,” former Liverpool captain Henderson, who is yet to get going at Ajax following his arrival from Saudi Arabia, says of Watkins (NOS). “Aston Villa are a very good team. They are maybe one of the best teams in Europe this season.
“We will have to play compactly and give up few chances. It will be a test for us, but we look forward to competing with the best players in Europe.
“Ollie is an extraordinary player who has everything. He is strong, but also dangerous in depth. He works hard and is a true professional.”
Van’t Schip also confirmed that two of Ajax’s most creative talents – Steven Berghuis and former Tottenham wideman Steven Bergwijn – will play no part at the Johan Cruyff Arena due to injury.
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