Aston Villa have had one of their players named in Garth Crooks’ Premier League Team of the Week, with the BBC pundit left extremely impressed by one of Unai Emery’s star names.
It’s been a week to remember for Aston Villa, who reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals on Thursday and made a significant leap in the race for fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.
After playing 120 minutes and entertaining a dramatic penalty shootout against Lille, the Villans returned to action by welcoming Bournemouth to Villa Park just three days later, giving Unai Emery’s side a test to overcome despite their fatigue.
Coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 against the Cherries saw Villa go six points clear of Spurs to bolster their Champions League hopes, with Emery’s attack shining on the day.
Goals from Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby decided the direction of the points however, none of the goalscorers were named in Garth Crooks’ Premier League Team of the Week.
Garth Crooks was full of praise for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins
One Villa star was selected in Crooks’ BBC Team of the Week, with Ollie Watkins unsurprisingly chosen by the pundit as one of the forwards in the best XI.
Crooks waxed lyrical about the Villa talisman’s display against Bournemouth, comparing him to former club marksman, Gary Shaw.
“The development of Watkins this season under Unai Emery has been quite phenomenal.
“Against a very dangerous Bournemouth, Watkins was laying on goalscoring chances for others and forging partnerships.
“The way the England striker spun Illia Zabarnyi in the middle of the park before setting up Villa’s third goal was reminiscent of Gary Shaw in their 1981 title-winning season.
“Villa look to have their eyes firmly fixed on the fourth Champions League spot, and Watkins looks like he might be the player who takes them there.”
Ollie Watkins was at his best for Aston Villa against Bournemouth
Despite not getting himself on the scoresheet, the Englishman was at the heart of everything for Villa going forward.
Recording two assists, the 28-year-old showcased his playmaking capabilities, echoing Crooks’ comments on how his game has improved under the guidance of Emery.
READ MORE: Aston Villa player ratings v Bournemouth
With four games remaining of the Premier League campaign, the striker will have his eyes firmly set on breaking Villa’s goalscoring record, with him being one goal away from rewriting the club record books.
Given his display against Bournemouth and his quality throughout the campaign, it would be impossible to imagine him not ending the 2023/24 calendar as Villa’s most decorated goalscorer in Premier League history.
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