As he wheeled away in delight on a sunny Saturday evening at the Vitality Stadium, Ollie Watkins knew he had just written himself into Aston Villa folklore.
With the deftest of touches to break the deadlock and secure a fundamental 1-0 win at Bournemouth, the Villa frontman scored his 75th league goal for the club, making him our all-time top Premier League goalscorer having finally surpassed Gabby Agbonhalor’s tally.
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Watkins relished every second of the celebrations post full-time whistle, even going back for a second time to the away end to enjoy the moment with the Villa faithful, and it was a wonderful sight to see him with the biggest of smiles on his face knowing what a brilliant achievement he had just accomplished.
His 75 goals have come in 182 league outings, with his consistency deserving of praise having registered double figures in goals in every season he’s been in the top flight since joining Villa.
Admittedly, he has had his detractors along the way and he’ll likely feel himself he should have reached the landmark tally sooner, but Watkins has been a fundamental presence in our ongoing progression and development into a side that is capable of competing at the top end of the Premier League table on a consistent basis.
Beyond his goals, he is critical to how Unai Emery wants us to play and in the particular system we use, with the 29-year-old’s movement off the ball, hold-up and link-up play and creativity for others all make him a brilliant focal point up top to lead the line for us.
We’ve seen Watkins relish one-v-one battles using his pace and ability to run the channels to stretch the defence and help others exploit the space left behind, he offers an aerial threat in the box and has the quality to score in various ways as a top all-round striker who can boast elite-level fitness and endurance to be a reliable option in term of his availability.
It hasn’t always been easy for him to establish himself as the top choice, but having fended off Danny Ings, Jhon Duran and Marcus Rashford among others to always emerge as our game-winner, his character, determination to improve and sacrifice for the team should all be heralded too as Emery has consistently praised his personality and professionalism as some of his main strengths.
“It’s something I had my eyes set on since I joined the club,” he told VillaTV. “My first interview I can remember walking in, the day I signed at the training ground, seeing Dean Smith and that’s what I had my eyes set on.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling, to be honest. I’ve put in so much hard work, on and off the pitch, and to be at a club like Villa, seeing the players who have played here.
“Just to be in the history books with all the top players is something I’m really proud of. It’s something I’ll definitely celebrate and hold on to.
“Unbelievable feeling seeing all the fans so happy and cheering my name. All the boys and staff are so happy for me as well.
“It’s a collective effort and I couldn’t have done it without them and my family. Really proud moment for me.”
And a word on the Villa boss given the influence that he has had on Watkins.
There’s no doubt that the England international has thrived under the Basque coach, improving his all-round play, his positioning on the pitch and his goalscoring record having bagged 19 in the league in his first full season under Emery, albeit he made sure to note that Watkins was already doing brilliant work prior to his arrival.
Much like many other players in the current squad, he has developed and improved Watkins’ game, and it was clear that he was proud of his marksman as he delivered a special Villa shirt to him with ’75’ emblazoned on the back to celebrate his achievement after the win at Bournemouth.
Whether it’s two more games or many, many more in a Villa shirt for Watkins amid previous speculation over his future, he has made his mark on our club and deserves all the credit coming his way. Hopefully, he’ll have the chance to take his tally well beyond 75, but for what he’s contributed thus far, he is a fundamental reason behind why we’re enjoying the level of success and progress we are right now.
📊📈 Ollie Watkins in last five PL seasons:
20/21: 37 apps, 14 goals
21/22: 35 apps, 11 goals
22/23: 37 apps, 15 goals
23/24: 37 apps, 19 goals
24/25: 36 apps, 16 goalsConsistency in his availability, durability & goalscoring, exceptional. Brings so much more beyond his goals too 👏🏽🟣🔵
#avfc #UTV
— Talk Villa (@talkvilla.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM
