Unai Emery has unlocked the best out of Ollie Watkins, with the Aston Villa striker now explaining what it’s like to train under the Spaniard.
The 2023/24 campaign will be remembered for years to come as Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League, while Ollie Watkins reached world-class levels, producing 37 contributions in all competitions.
It was a truly phenomenal year for club and country, as the 28-year-old fired that goal against the Netherlands to send England into the Euro 2024 final.
Under the tutelage of Unai Emery, Watkins has a new-found confidence, becoming Villa’s talisman and chief creator, who is heavily relied on in the final third.
Indeed, only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland can boast more goal contributions since Emery arrived at Villa Park, which showcases how incredible his transformation has been.
Now, the Villa striker has shed light on what the Spaniard has been like in training since he returned from his extended break.
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Ollie Watkins explains what Unai Emery is like in Aston Villa training
Watkins nursed a minor injury after returning from his break, which explains why he missed Villa’s final friendly against Borussia Dortmund.
Despite not featuring at all in pre-season, Emery still selected him in the starting XI for the West Ham clash, which they prevailed as 2-1 winners but Watkins understandably looked off the pace.
The Englishman was substituted for Jhon Duran on the hour mark and that proved to be an inspired decision as the Colombian scored the winning goal 10 minutes from time.
Watkins will now work hard on the training ground to earn selection on Saturday and ahead of their clash against Arsenal, the former Brentford man has shared insight into what Emery is like in training.
Speaking to Villa TV, Watkins said: “Well, I can’t speak highly enough of him. You know, he’s so motivated and driven to achieve something and do well.
“Personally, for him and for the club, he wants to win a trophy, he’s so demanding on the training pitch. He gets his point across; the detail he goes into, the dedication, I know he’s here early in the morning and doesn’t leave till late so yeah, I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“He’s obviously changed my game and helped me out massively since he’s come in, it’s been pretty smooth sailing for me.”
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How Emery has transformed Watkins into a goal-scoring machine
Before Emery’s arrival, Watkins’ best Premier League campaign was when he managed 14 goals in 2020/21; a respectable return but one that has now been completely blown out of the water.
In the Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith era, the Villa talisman recalls being used as more of a left-winger, who made runs into the channels, as opposed to being the central focus of the team.
Speaking in April 2023, Watkins said: “Before, maybe I was running into the channels and into the corners and doing a lot of work for the team. Now, I’m staying within the width of the box and timing my runs.”
That is exactly why the talented striker has flourished as the figurehead of the Villa attack, as he constantly makes dangerous runs for his teammates centrally, can drop off and link play while clinically finishing his chances when they arrive.
To put it simply, Emery recognised his attributes as a complete forward and placed him in a progressive system that would squeeze every inch of quality and class out of him.
Villa have since reaped the rewards and will continue to do so as long as Watkins is leading the line.
