Ollie Watkins

[Monty]

Way, way too nice with the postmatch interview, that ludicrous thing that we 'got away with' the handball decision, when a) it was blatant, and b) it's his job, as a senior player, to say something like 'good decision, handiest ever ball, and about fucking time too as VAR's been a right prick to us this season.'

[brontebilly]

I thought the questions about Durán in his interview post-game made him feel uncomfortable. Especially when he was told that he was about to be subbed just before the goal.

Also interesting that he said he was in two minds whether to take a touch for the equaliser. Maybe speaks to the lack of killer instinct he's accused of? He's good value in his interviews, often more honest/natural than media trained.

Was a really good interview, unusual in a post match one with a player. I guess he probably knows Hendrie and Merson, seemed that way from the chat. Honest answer about being frustrated getting taken off in games as often he scores late on in games like at Arsenal last season. His plea for playing with Duran up front seemed a forlorn one, was laughed off by Merson as a possibility.

[LeeB]

Way, way too nice with the postmatch interview, that ludicrous thing that we 'got away with' the handball decision, when a) it was blatant, and b) it's his job, as a senior player, to say something like 'good decision, handiest ever ball, and about fucking time too as VAR's been a right prick to us this season.'

Yes, would be nice to see a bit of pushback with these twats.

[aj2k77]

Not many have scored double figures in the league in 5 consecutive seasons for us in my time. It's staggering that some still don't appreciate him.

Bit of a weird one though because anyone who was good enough, left. Or we were just shit.

Yorke would have done it. Benteke would have too.

Ollie is decent but it says more about our lack of achievement tbh.

Would have done it but they wanted gone. He earns even more respect from me for staying with us. Bear in mind we've only finished in the top 6 one season with Ollie, it's not like we've smashed it. Benteke wanted our after 1 season.

[aj2k77]

Bloody love Ollie. Works his arse off every game, deserved his goal. We have two genuinely world class forwards for the first time since, well early eighties I suppose.

The only world class player we have is Martinez.

Ollie and Duran aren't close. Come on.

Which centre forwards would you swap either of them for?

I reckon there's maybe three or four. At best.

Salah
Kane
Lewandowski
Lautaro Martínez
Gyokeres
Haaland
Isak

Easily.

Salah isn't a centre forward. And while he's obviously still a good player, swapping either for a 36 year old would be utterly daft.

So "three or four" is actually five.

Plus those players realistically cost between £100 and £200 million. It's a backhanded compliment to Watkins really.

[KevinGage]

Way, way too nice with the postmatch interview, that ludicrous thing that we 'got away with' the handball decision, when a) it was blatant, and b) it's his job, as a senior player, to say something like 'good decision, handiest ever ball, and about fucking time too as VAR's been a right prick to us this season.'

He's a forward. They'll always be a bit one eyed when it comes to goals being chalked off.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Ollie has 99 goal contributions in the pl (69 goals, 30 assists)
He has as many/more assists than pl goals scored independently by the likes of Young, Savo, Dalian and Darren Bent.
He is 6 goals off being our pl record goalscorer.
Ollie's legacy won't just be his goals, assists and records broken, it'll be the challenge he'll have thrown down to our future strikers to better him, in so many different ways, which ultimately can only be for the good of Aston Villa going forwards. We've endured mediocrity for far too long. Raising the levels as Ollie is doing should be celebrated louder than the doom-mongers' mumblings.

[Percy McCarthy]

Considering our two centre-forwards don’t share the pitch for many minutes, our output from that one position is ridiculous.

22 goals, 7 assists.

[Dante Lavelli]

Watkins is good but he is nowhere near world class.  He summed it up himself last night, he is at his best by far when he acts on instinct. When he has time, he can often make the wrong decision.

If we can keep both him and Duran, we have great options as they are very different, both both effective depending on the gameplan. Watkins was 100% the right choice for yesterday's game and gave the centre backs the runaround.

Keeping them both and them working with each other might prove beneficial for all involved. If Duran's unpredictability and shoot on instinct attitude can rub off a little on Ollie, it could help him a lot. And if Duran can pick up some of Ollie's work ethics and all round play, we'd be buzzing with two top class strikers at our disposal.
[/quote]

Yep, you’d hope Duran watches Ollie and thinks *thats* what I need to add to my game.  Blend the two and you probably have the world’s best striker.

[VillaTim]

Watkins in a nutshell yesterday , misses the easy chance from Partey throw then buries a difficult volley. Also had that run on Gabriel where he chose the wrong foot .
All in all though his running and movement was very good.

[DB]

Apart from maybe City, I don't think there is another PL that wouldn't want Ollie. He has been brilliant for us.

[edgysatsuma89]

Watkins in a nutshell yesterday , misses the easy chance from Partey throw then buries a difficult volley. Also had that run on Gabriel where he chose the wrong foot .
All in all though his running and movement was very good.

On what planet is that an 'easy chance'? He should be doing better, but it's not 'easy' at all. I swear some of you think it's like playing FIFA.

[Sexual Ealing]

Watkins in a nutshell yesterday , misses the easy chance from Partey throw then buries a difficult volley. Also had that run on Gabriel where he chose the wrong foot .
All in all though his running and movement was very good.

On what planet is that an 'easy chance'? He should be doing better, but it's not 'easy' at all. I swear some of you think it's like playing FIFA.

It wasn't simple, but if you're a player* it's a situation you dream of.

*In my arrogant opinion. I am not a player.

[cdbearsfan]

I don't even remember the "simple" chance. I saw Haaland miss a one on one today before turning off when Man City scored. Assume Man City will be looking to get rid of the useless twat and the new contract is a smokescreen.

[Sexual Ealing]

I don't even remember the "simple" chance. I saw Haaland miss a one on one today before turning off when Man City scored. Assume Man City will be looking to get rid of the useless twat and the new contract is a smokescreen.

Arsenal played a throw-in to him. He only had the keeper to beat.