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EXCLUSIVE: Ollie Watkins in talks with Aston Villa over a new contract to make him one of their highest earners, after his stunning goalscoring run impressed boss Unai Emery
- Ollie Watkins joined Aston Villa for around £30million from Brentford in 2020
- Since Unai Emery took over, the Villans have won 16 points from a possible 18
- Emery attributes Watkins’ stunning form to a meeting they had after his arrival
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Ollie Watkins is in talks with Aston Villa over a new contract as his superb form in front of goal has the club dreaming of European football.
The forward is one of the most in form players in the Premier League after scoring eight goals in his last 10 games and he will be confident of adding to the tally when Villa face struggling Nottingham Forest at home on Saturday.
The 27-year-old has two years to run on the five-year deal he signed when joining Villa for about £30million from Brentford in September 2020. Any new arrangement would propel Watkins into Villa’s top bracket of earners alongside Philippe Coutinho, Emi Martinez and Tyrone Mings.
Villa have proved themselves smart negotiators in the past and while there is certain to be interest from elsewhere in Watkins, boss Unai Emery has brought the best from him and believes Watkins will only improve under his leadership.
Emery said: ‘The striker is very important to me. I spoke with [Watkins] at the beginning about the relationship here. I told him that I want the best of you and the way he is doing; practising, being humble to improve. This is the way.
Ollie Watkins (left) is in talks with Aston Villa over a new contract at the club that will put him among their top earners such as Emiliano Martinez (right)
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The English forward has scored eight goals in his last 10 and is one of only three players to score 10+ goals in the previous three campaigns
He has thrived under Unai Emery(above) and his goals are spear-heading Villa’s European push
‘Then, he has a big career to do in his future. It’s very important as well to try and speak about other players because he is not going to score if his team-mates aren’t helping him to do it.
‘For us, Ollie Watkins is very important. He’s not only scoring but his commitment every day, trying to add more work, watching his clips.
‘He’s the first defence in our idea, trying to be consistent. He’s working very well with the high pressing. He’s trying to fight with the defenders. He’s scoring and he’s adding the best quality as a striker – the goal.’
When Emery took control last autumn Villa were in danger of relegation but now are well placed for their first top 10 finish since 2011, at the least.
They have 16 points from a possible 18 but now face a tough run-in, Newcastle, Brentford, Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton to play before the end of the season.
