Aston Villa could hold a host of candidates for the Premier League Player of the Year award, with many of Unai Emery’s stars being worthy of the prize for their incredible contributions this season, as Ollie Watkins’ claim has been supported.
Aston Villa have taken their progression from last season to new heights this term, as Unai Emery’s team continue to lead the race for a fourth-place finish.
When the Spaniard took charge of the Villans in October 2022, the club was in 15th, a vast contrast to where they are now with few squad changes.
While there hasn’t been a dramatic change in personnel to attribute to Villa’s rise in performance, there has been a significant increase in quality courtesy of a host of players, one being Ollie Watkins.
How Ollie Watkins has improved under Unai Emery
Since the time of Emery’s arrival, Watkins has emerged as one of the top forwards in the league, with only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah scoring more Premier League goals than the Englishman in that time.
When revising the 28-year-old’s numbers over the past three seasons in the league, it’s clear to see where the manager has influenced a higher level of performance in his game.
Over the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, Watkins recorded a total of eight assists, a figure that he has already eclipsed after 26 games this term as he currently sits on 10.
The former Brentford man has become a force to be reckoned with when leading the line, with the creative area of his game truly blossoming under Emery.
In general, the statistics show just how much the manager has broadened the striker’s game, with figures provided by FBref.
The most prominent upgrade in average in Watkins’ Premier League career is how many goal-creating actions he averages per 90, with him recording 0.27 in 2021/22, 0.40 in 2022/23 and an impressive 0.78 per 90 this season.
As well as this element, the forward has become far more clinical as well as being a formidable playmaker, averaging 0.40 goals per shot on target this season, compared to his 0.31 per 90 in 2022/23 and 0.32 in 2021/22.
What has been said about Ollie Watkins in the race for player of the year
A column produced by The Athletic detailed who the site determined were the frontrunners for player of the season after 26 games.
Journalist Jacob Townley was full of praise for Watkins, who he explained has ‘transformed under Emery’ and is in the pecking order for the award.
He wrote:
“Watkins is now a bona fide scorer, transformed under Emery and with a robust claim to be the second-best No 9 in the league, behind Haaland. On the evidence of this season, he could well be the most important.”
Only 32 of Aston Villa’s 56 goals this season have not seen Watkins directly involved – through a goal or an assist – telling of just how pivotal the Englishman’s performances have been for the Midlands club.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the striker in the running for player of the season, particularly if he becomes the first Villa representative to hit the 20-goal milestone in the Premier League.
