Wolves boss wowed by Aston Villa star who has become ‘a really big threat’

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Unai Emery’s squad is certainly not short of star quality. Aston Villa have, in their midst, a whole host of international.

Among them, Spain star Pau Torres, World Cup winner Emi Martinez, the electrifying Leon Bailey, the £50 million Moussa Diaby, and two of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League in John McGinn and Douglas Luiz. 

But whenever an opposition manager or player is asked about the threat Aston Villa pose, there is usually one name who tends to trip off the tongue. 

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa host Wolves on Saturday

He was called ‘outstanding’ by Ange Postecoglou a couple of weeks ago. Jordan Henderson raved about him ahead of Villa’s 4-0 Europa Conference League hammering of Ajax at Villa Park, a game in which he opened the scoring with a soaring header. 

And ahead Saturday tea-times clash between two Midland neighbours, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil became the latest to spell out the talents of one Ollie Watkins. 

“I’m not sure when he made the improvement but, when I look at his all-round game, it’s come on an awful lot,” O’Neil tells BBC Sport of a man who, with 16, is behind only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the Premier League’s Golden Boot race.  

“He can be a threat in behind and is good in to feet now. He’s a really big goal threat as a really good number nine playing in a good team. He’s done very well and looks like an accomplished Premier League striker now.”

Watkins has 22 goals and 10 assists in all competitions during 2023/24. And it’s easy to forget that the £28 million signing from Brentford is actually a converted winger, displaying the awareness, the movement, the instincts and the hold-up play of a man who has spent his entire life shrugging off and racing in behind defenders as a classic centre-forward. 

Ollie Watkins hopes to secure Euro 2024 spot

Watkins endured a tough time with England during the March international break, however, and may feel as if he has a point to prove between now and the start of the European Championships. Ivan Toney has gone some way to cementing himself as Gareth Southgate’s number two striker by winning and then converting a penalty during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley.

“(Toney) holds the ball up better (than Watkins). His link-up play is excellent,” is the verdict of former Watford captain Troy Deeney, speaking on talkSPORT this week. “When Ivan stepped up and took that penalty did you think he was going to miss? I didn’t. 

“Whenever Ollie runs through one-vs-one during many games this season, I’m still not convinced he is going to score. I think he will score eventually if you give him three or four shots a game. Ivan just has that borderline arrogance about him that makes me go; ‘Right, stick Ivan in there’.”