Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided an update on contract talks with Ollie Watkins, as he sounded optimistic that an agreement will eventually be reached.
The 27-year-old joined us from Brentford in September 2020, and has since gone on to score 47 goals and provide 15 assists in 126 appearances.
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Beyond the numbers, Watkins has proven to be a fundamental presence in the Villa side with his overall impact when leading the line and his general play in the final third in both phases of the game, and he has continued to be crucial under Emery.
With his current contract set to expire in June 2025, and with other key individuals putting pen to paper on extensions, there has been a lot of discussion and some concern over his long-term future as Villa have evidently been keen to agree new terms.
While the wait goes on for official news, Emery sounded hopeful and optimistic that the two parties will reach an agreement over a new long-term deal for our frontman.
“We are in talks and hopefully he is going to sign for a long time with us,” Emery said in his pre-Brighton press conference, as per The Athletic. “I’m very happy and I think is commitment is really high commitment every day.
“He’s an example for other players. His performance as well is always at a good level for us and for him sometimes scoring more goals, sometimes less, but always doing his work.”
While some may rightly continue to question the lack of ruthlessness and clinical edge from Watkins in front of goal at times, the job he does for us is pivotal to how Emery wants to play.
That in turn has led the Villa striker to be an ever-present since he took charge and a key cog in our progress thus far, and hopefully with a new contract soon in place, that will allow him to fully focus on his football, and continuing to fire us towards success this season and beyond.
Ezri Konsa was the latest to sign a new deal earlier this month, and Villa have done excellent work in trying to keep the core of our squad together, while continuing to strengthen around it.
