Talks ongoing with Villa ace over signing new contract

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed that talks are ongoing between the club and Ollie Watkins over a new contract.

The 27-year-old’s current deal runs until June 2025, and following on from Ezri Konsa being the latest key figure to extend his stay last week, it’s imperative Villa continue to keep our core together.

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With 47 goals and 15 assists in 125 appearances for Villa thus far, Watkins has undoubtedly established himself as a fundamental figure in the side, and has continued to impress under Emery since he arrived last year.

In turn, it’s crucial that Villa get a new contract sorted sooner rather than later, ideally so that Watkins commits his long-term future and remains an integral part of our plans moving forward, but if an exit does become a more pressing concern, our position is strengthened with longer terms.

As per the Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Emery noted after our win over Chelsea on Sunday that Villa are continuing to talk with Watkins over a new contract, but evidently there has been no significant progress as of yet to the point where he might be close to putting pen to paper.

“I am working about it. We are in touch,” Emery said, as per The Express and Star.

Naturally, as the situation lingers on, there will be more concern over the future of Watkins at Villa, as if he does approach the final year of his contract, that will no doubt lead to increased speculation over a potential exit.

That said, we do still have plenty of time to reach an agreement, but ultimately with reports of contract talks ongoing for some time now, it does raise question marks as to whether there are perhaps issues in those negotiations that have prevented a deal from being reached already.

Nevertheless, having registered his first Premier League goal of the season this past weekend, it’s hoped that regardless of what’s happening off the pitch, Watkins continues to deliver for the team on it in the coming weeks and months.