Dele Alli has suggested one Aston Villa player replicated something he once did against Arsenal.
Unai Emery’s men produced a vintage away performance to seal an invaluable three points and capitalise on Tottenham’s 4-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Villa jumped back into the top four and now sit three points clear of Spurs, although Ange Postecoglou’s side hold an all-important game in hand.
The trip to The Emirates was one to remember for the travelling Villans. After seeing out intense first-half pressure, Emery’s men produced a tactically brilliant second-half performance to severely dent Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes.
Dele Alli says Ollie Watkins replicated what he once did against Arsenal
Ollie Watkins once again proved he’s amongst Europe’s elite strikers with a superb finish to double Villa’s lead late on.
The 28-year-old timed his run perfectly before executing a brilliant dink over David Raya in the Arsenal net.
Watkins now has 19 Premier League goals and is competing with Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer for the Golden Boot.
Premier League top scorers – 2023/24
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, Alli suggested Watkins’ finish was similar to one he produced during his Tottenham days.
“He could have easily gone back in and helped them defend. You can see he’s still getting in front of Smith-Rowe, making sure he’s got the extra two yards,” he said [MNF, 19:38]
“He knows that it’s an attacker with him, and it’s one-on-one. In his head, he’s waiting to get a little bit closer and make the keeper try and make his mind up for him. It’s an unbelievable finish from a great player. I think I’ve chipped one in at that end as well.”
Was Ollie Watkins’ chip similar to Dele Alli’s effort for Tottenham?
Alli netted during Spurs’ Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Arsenal five years ago. After being sent through clean on goal by Harry Kane, the now Everton player lobbed Peter Cech to send the travelling Spurs fans into ecstasy.
The two goals are slightly different, and Watkins probably deserves more praise. The Aston Villa man had to travel a longer distance with the ball and also had numerous options regarding the type of finish.
Had he taken a shot earlier – which was certainly an option – the outcome could have been very different. For Alli, the ball bouncing almost made his mind up for him. It was a relatively simple finish over the Arsenal keeper.
Watkins of two seasons ago wouldn’t have found the back of the net. He would’ve opted to go with power instead of waiting and dinking the ball over Raya’s outstretched arm.
The decision displays the Englishman’s impressive development under Emery. He’s far more composed in front of goal and, ultimately, a key reason why he’s now one of Europe’s elite forwards.
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