Having registered his first Premier League goal of the season on Sunday, Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins will now be hoping to put together a run of goalscoring form.
The 27-year-old had gone five league outings without a goal so far this season, while it was also one in his last 12 dating back to last season as he struggled to find the back of the net.
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As always though, Watkins continues to play a fundamental role up top for Villa with his work ethic, movement and ability to stretch defences to create space for his teammates as part of our way of playing, and so his efforts have always been greatly appreciated by Unai Emery who has continuously praised the Villa ace.
Nevertheless, Watkins himself would have been desperate to get on the mark in the league, and he did so with the winning goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to ensure it was a decisive return to form in front of goal.
Villa have developed an important habit of getting goals from across the side, whether it’s Moussa Diaby showing consistency to start the season or those in midfield getting forward and providing important contributions.
Continuing that through the course of the campaign will be vital to our chances of achieving success as it makes us more unpredictable and dynamic in attack, but having a regular source of goals from our leading man will undoubtedly get us closer to where we want to reach this season.
“The first one is always hard to get,” Watkins told VillaTV. “I’m delighted to get off the mark now. It’s a bit of a relief, really, because the more the games go by, there’s a lot of talk and pressure.
“But I just try and block that out and I back myself in front of goal no matter what anyone says.
“I’m looking forward to the games coming up now and plenty more goals for the season.”
While the expectation is that he could be rested against Everton in the Carabao Cup in midweek as Jhon Duran has impressed when involved so far this season, it’s important that Watkins now builds off this confidence-boosting goal.
Prior to his struggles, he went on a run of 11 goals in 12 league games last season as he spearheaded and fired us towards Europe, and if he can find that same level of consistency, it will continue to drive us up the Premier League table and keep us in contention for silverware through the cup competitions.
Admittedly, he continues to have his doubters and detractors who will make a fair point about his lack of a clinical edge and ruthlessness in the final third, as he does pass up opportunities.
However, his qualities and strengths far outweigh those negatives, and that’s reflected in how heavily Emery continues to lean on him to do the job required up top. Watkins needed that goal on Sunday and Emery reiterated his happiness with him as he continues to play a pivotal role for Villa.
Having proven to be the match-winner this past weekend though, it will hopefully be the catalyst for Watkins to now go on a run of goalscoring form and show that clinical side to his game again, as he will no doubt be a driving force in our bid for success this year.
Big players for big moments. 😍
Ollie Watkins with the winner at Stamford Bridge! 👌 pic.twitter.com/sJLvVsJDTk
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 24, 2023