Here is my case for our own Ollie Watkins. To start with, without Ollie’s goals (16) and assists (8) we would not be playing in Europe for this coming season. Jhon Duran was not ready to replace Ollie, and no other center forward was able, nor available, in the world to replace him.
That Ollie is the logical replacement for Harry Kane in the England squad is also undisputed. In fact, as Villa fans recognize, there is no other striker in the P. L. who could replace our Ollie and most replacements would cause a serious degradation to the team.
As for his qualities, Ollie’s work ethic is first-rate, selflessly running to create space for others, pressing the opposition goalie and defenders, making himself available to receive passes, invariably passing when a teammate has a better position to score, defending set-pieces with aerial prowess, and generating a positive vibe however the team is doing in the game.
Having Ollie in the team, means that one always believes the team is likely to score. That you never have to worry about this player’s consistency is a wonderful boost for the fans and his teammates.
His consistency has been notable at every level from Exeter to Brentford to Villa to the England team and from season to season. That he appeared to lose momentum last season was purely because Manager Unai Emery needed to give Duran an opportunity to start games and Duran had to be given enough exposure to be sold at a significant premium. In fact, Ollie’s 16 goals in games he started last season (31) was almost identical to the rate he scored the prior season (19 goals in 37 games). In fact, it was marginally higher.
Ollie’s goals are, more often than not, key to our team’s success, often the first goal in a game, invariably with accurate shots taken quickly and with a minimum of self-congratulation.
Ollie’s fitness level (including his ability to avoid injuries) is another outstanding trait. Ollie misses less starts than almost every other player at the professional level and that greatly assists the coaches’ game planning. It is also a testament to his own preparation and lifestyle.
See for yourself how elegantly and selflessly, our Ollie gives his all and why we love what he does and the effect on the team:
My personal highlights are the two brilliant scoring efforts against Southampton and Arsenal with similar runs under a long pass, followed by Ollie stretching and meeting the ball and directing shots that rebounded into the net off the crossbar. Not only did these goals represent great skill, but both were game-changing.
At the Emirates, Ollie’s goal stole a win from the Gunners while, at St. Mary’s stadium, Southampton was doing a brilliant job of solid defense that until Ollie’s heroics in the 73rd minute looked as if they would be rewarded with a point. That was something they accomplished four weeks later hosting Manchester City (0-0).
What was also notable in the Saints’ game was that Ollie had been a substitute who came on in the 66th minute to replace Marcus Rashford (on-loan from Man U). It was probably Ollie’s first shot in the game and for him to be able to perform that feat after sitting on the bench was exemplary.