Aston Villa capped off a sensational week with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, seeing one of Unai Emery’s stars earn high praise from former Premier League defender, Phil Jagielka.
It was a week to remember for Aston Villa, who progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night and then collected three points against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Villans did exceptionally well to come back from a goal down at Villa Park against the Cherries, particularly after playing 120 minutes plus penalties just three nights prior.
READ MORE: Aston Villa player ratings v Bournemouth
Unai Emery’s side took a considerable leap in the race for fourth place, applying pressure to Tottenham, who have two games in hand on the Midlands club.
While Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby were the goalscorers on the day, it was another Villan that earned high praise for his emphatic display away from the goals against Bournemouth.
Phil Jagielka praises Ollie Watkins for his performance against Bournemouth
Ollie Watkins was one of Villa’s best performers on the day at Villa Park, recording two assists to take his tally to 12 this season.
The two goals he set up saw his goal contribution tally exceed 30, as he hit 31 contributions in the campaign, the most of any Premier League player.
When analysing the game on BBC Match of the Day 2, former Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka gave an insight into what it’s like to play against Watkins.
“He’s got a lot, obviously he played wide in his earlier days but he’s come up front now, he’s a very strong boy.
“He’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s prepared to get in behind and he’s confident. I think when you play against a striker who’s confident, it’s a different breed.
“He’s taking shots on maybe that he wouldn’t, he’s finding those assists, at the moment, he’s pretty much on fire and Villa are loving it.”
Ollie Watkins has transformed his game this season at Aston Villa
It’s been a phenomenal campaign for the Villa talisman, who has not only become more prolific in front of goal but has added more to the playmaking areas of his game.
Ollie Watkins’ game in numbers v Bournemouth, via Sofascore:
- 90 minutes played
- 2 assists
- 2 key passes
- 2 shots on target
- 90% passing accuracy
His display against the Cherries epitomised just how far the 28-year-old has come under Emery, with him being shaped into an all-round striker, showing that he has little limits to his overall game.
While the Englishman would have hoped to add to his scoring tally yesterday, which he almost did before Bailey finished the effort, his performance only reinforced just how valuable he is to Villa’s attack.
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