Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is leading the way in one area in the Premier League this season, ranking higher than Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and anyone to show just how good he is.
It’s been a season to remember so far for Aston Villa and Ollie Watkins, with the potential for it to get even better.
Unai Emery’s side have just five games remaining in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, as well as still having the opportunity to claim European silverware in the Europa Conference League.
Given that the Spaniard took charge of Steven Gerrard’s squad when Villa were sat in 17th in the table, the former Arsenal boss has done a remarkable job at revolutionising the squad and particularly, Watkins.
At the point of Emery’s arrival, the Englishman’s best scoring tally at Villa was the 14 goals he scored over the 2020/21 Premier League season, with him now on 19 goals so far this term, his best in the top-flight.
The manager has inspired his striker to do better and shape other areas of his game, factors that have benefitted him and the club, turning the 28-year-old into one of the best in the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins is better than Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer in one area
Watkins’ 19 league goals so far see him level with Christian Benteke as Villa’s leading scorer in a single Premier League campaign, giving him five games to break the record.
Given the form that the talisman is currently in, it looks almost certain that he will set a new club record and also challenge to become the league’s best this term.
In the Premier League at the moment, the England international is just one goal short of leading the race for the Golden Boot, sitting behind Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the race for the prestigious prize.
That being said, Watkins is actually leading the way when it comes to the table of non-penalty goals scored this season, with all of his 19 goals coming from open play in a remarkable statistic.
Journalist Dan Bardell was one to draw attention to the achievements of the Villa forward this season, dubbing his tally an “unreal record”, relaying that Watkins hasn’t taken a single penalty or set-piece this term.
Ollie Watkins has proven his worth in the Premier League this season
Everyone knew of Watkins’ prowess in the final third before this season, however, it seems as though the Englishman has hit a whole new level in Emery’s ambitious squad this season.
Not only is the striker contending for the Villa record and the Premier League Golden Boot, but has cemented himself as one of the best hitmen in Europe, contending only with Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Palmer with his tally of 29 goal contributions in Europe’s top five leagues, via Transfermarkt.
Most prominently, Watkins is the only forward out of the three European heavyweights named that has hit double figures for assists, telling of how rounded his game has become.
Emery has not only encouraged the Englishman to lurk in the areas typical of a number nine more but has set Villa up in a way that encourages his striker to promote his playmaking skills.
The combination of the manager, the overall growth at Villa and the quality around him in the squad has made Watkins into a monster, as highlighted by his remarkable numbers from open play this term.
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