Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has become only the third Englishman in Premier League history to achieve one incredible feat.
Where would Aston Villa be without Ollie Watkins?
Unai Emery’s goalscoring machine has been at the epicentre of their charge towards the Champions League, plundering 15 goals and supplying 10 assists in all competitions.
The focal point of Villa’s attack and the one who breaks defensive lines with his clever runs, Watkins is simply irreplaceable.
As such, many questioned Emery’s decision not to invest in that position during the transfer window. They brought in left back Lino Sousa, goalkeeper Joe Gauci and winger Morgan Rogers, but not an out-and-out number nine.
Although it’s difficult to sign a player in January who is prepared to play second fiddle to Watkins, they are walking on a tightrope by banking on their talisman not sustaining an injury, otherwise, their hopes of finishing in the top four are dashed.
This is further accentuated by the record he broke in the 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United on Tuesday.
What record has Ollie Watkins broken?
After netting a consolation against the Magpies, Watkins has become the first Englishman to score 10+ goals in his first four seasons in the top flight after Robbie Fowler (1993-94 to 1996-97) and Alan Shearer (first five from 1992-93 to 1996-97).
This also makes him the first-ever Aston Villa player to achieve this feat as he closes in on their all-time Premier League goalscorer, Gabby Agbonlahor.
Although the numbers make for excellent reading and he’s in with a shout of winning the Golden Boot if his exceptional scoring continues, Watkins offers much more than just his contributions.
Previously, Emery has praised him for the work he does off the ball.
After he scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Brighton, he was quick to comment on the defensive side of his game to TNT Sports. “His commitment with the work tactically that we have to do not only in the attacking third but as well when we are defending,” Emery said.
“And then he has the quality when there are spaces to attack, like today was fantastic, and today he played amazing.”
Aston Villa need to wrap Watkins in cotton wool
In simple terms, Villa’s season is over if Watkins suffers a spell on the sidelines.
They simply don’t have the goals in reserve to replace their talismanic figure, especially when Emery’s backup strikers are Jhon Duran and Nicolo Zaniolo.
There’s no way either of those two can replicate the impact that the 28-year-old has on this Villa side, and the manager must know that himself.
Villa’s form has taken a turn for the worse in recent matches, but a trip to Sheffield United on Saturday presents a chance to put that right, and Watkins will hope to play a big part in that.
