SHOOTING STAR
Razor-sharp Watkins spearheads the Villa revival under Emery
v OLLIE WATKINS is only too happy to be at the sharp end of the Unai Emery-inspired revival at Aston Villa.
Since Emery was drafted in to replace Steven Gerrard in the dugout, Watkins has been tasked with spearheading Villa’s turnaround.
The club’s only senior striker has started six of the Spaniard’s seven league games in charge.
They have brought an impressive haul of 16 points, including wins over Manchester United, highflying Brighton and Tottenham. Last time out at Southampton, Watkins headed the winner and he is producing his best shooting accuracy stats in his third season in the top flight.
He has extra responsibility following the £15million sale of Danny Ings to West Ham. Villa have brought in £18m Colombian rookie
Jhon Duran but Watkins is the club’s only experienced star up front, where he is assisted by exciting wideman Leon Bailey.
Some fans are worried at the lack of depth and were surprised by Villa’s quiet deadline day. But Watkins, 27, signed from Brentford in 2020 for £28m after hitting 26 goals, is undaunted at the challenge of firing ambitious Villa up the table.
Ahead of Leicester’s visit today, he insisted he is relishing the opportunity to be Villa’s main man in attack. “I have had that responsibility,” said Watkins.
“When I was at Brentford I was the only striker really for the whole season.
“Here in my first season too we had Keinan Davis who would come on a few times but I was the main striker.
“I am willing to take that responsibility and am looking forward to it.
“It is all about confidence and also remaining calm to believe that when you get the opportunities, you are going to put them away.
“I am confident in my ability and in the way the team are playing and the chances we are creating, so
I think I can score a lot more goals in this back end of the season.”
Watkins notched 14 Premier
League goals in his debut campaign and
11 last term.
But he struggled earlier this season under Gerrard as he netted just once and missed out on the England squad for the World Cup.
But since Emery
(left) took charge in late October, his belief is flooding back thanks to some words of wisdom from his new boss.
Watkins added: “I feel like Steven Ger- rard wanted me to do well and picked me regularly. But the start of this season was a little bit different.
“Now I have definitely learnt under this manager to stay in my position, believe the opportunities will come and be ready to take those opportunities.
“Before I wanted to always try to get involved and to touch the ball.
“Now I am probably content if I am drifting out of the game for 10-15 minutes because I know if I stay in my position up top I will get an opportunity.
“I am holding my position more and waiting for my team-mates to find me rather than becoming impatient.” Watkins’ positive mindframe has been helped by a happy home life with partner Ellie Alderson and young daughter Amara May, who is “running around causing havoc”.
They have another child due in April and the forward is hopeful he can break back into the England squad to add to his two international goals and seven caps.
He said: “It was a shame I couldn’t be at the World Cup but I can use it as fuel to get back into the squad in the future. I know I am capable of doing that.”