THAT’S Toon’s five-game
OLLIE WATKINS may have been inherited by Unai Emery, but he is a striker in his manager’s image – modest, meticulous, merciless when he needs to be, and heading for the top.
The Aston Villa striker scored twice, created the first goal for Jacob Ramsey, had another narrowly chalked off by VAR, struck the post, and generally terrorised Newcastle to the extent that whenever they next see him, it will be too soon.
He epic contribution of 10 goals in 12 games has helped Emery transform Villa from inconsistent mid-table dwellers to genuine Champions League contenders after their fifth successive win.
At the same time, in the course of 90 minutes that some Villa regulars reckon was the best they have seen for 20 years, they destabilised Newcastle’s own European challenge.
This was Newcastle’s heaviest defeat of the season and it could well have been twice as ugly if Nick Pope had not denied both Watkins and Ramsey on numerous occasions.
Watkins laid bare his talent in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate, who currently considers the striker his fourth-best option.
There was a smile from Southgate after Watkins scored his second goal. If Watkins is the fourth-best English centre-forward available, then Southgate should consider himself blessed.
Emery refused to comment about whether or not his 27-year-old deadly marksman is about to hit another of
Aston Villa his manager’s desired targets – a signed new contract.
And when he was asked to gauge Watkins’ current striking form, he opted to stress the player’s defensive qualities.
“We are very happy for him and that was one of his best performances,” said the Spaniard.
“He’s now working well defensively, too. Our own box is very important as well as the work in their box.”
And of Watkins’ England claims, his manager added: “Of course, he’s very important for England.” Watkins may be in the driver’s seat, but Emery has built an exceptionally smooth-running vehicle with Alex Moreno, Ramsey, John Mcginn and Emiliano Buendia the cylinders that had them firing from the first 30 seconds.
That was how long it took for Watkins to be sprung beyond Newcastle’s defence and although he struck the post it was a sign of what was to come.
Watkins soon headed down athletically, and perfectly, for Ramsey to score, but the game was defined around the hour mark.
Miguel Almiron hit the side netting when he might have scored before Watkins appeared to have put Villa 2-0 up after being played in by the impressive Moreno. It was ruled out by VAR for offside, but Watkins wasted little time in turning and steering home from his next chance – again provided by Moreno.
By the time Watkins swept in the third goal, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe knew their own five-game winning streak was over.
“We just weren’t there today,” said Howe. “Villa did well, but, by our own standard, we were off it, and if that’s the case, you’re never going to win.
“We had our moments, but we weren’t at our best, that was obvious. We tried to make changes to get a grip of the game, but nothing changed the force of the game. It was very unlike us.”