Ollie Watkins

[Sexual Ealing]

Just out of interest, all those who have never quite liked him, or have ever given him the credit he’s earned, did you all think Angel, Dublin, Saunders, Atkinson, Benteke, Yorke etc were more prolific or productive?

Not relevant. None of those players are going to come in and replace him (although Atkinson, Yorke and Benteke were vastly more gifted than he's ever been). Is he any good to us in 2025/26?

[PeterWithesShin]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

[Mister E]

... In the meantime Unai needs to find a way to get him scoring whilst we keep winning. For me that means Malen on the right, Rogers on the left and Watkins in the middle. If we stick with a double pivot of Bouba and Youri (plus Onana and Bogarde as cover) that leaves either SJM or Buendia (and possibly Youri) fighting for the 10 role.
On paper it may look fine but in practice I don't see many crosses coming in from the right. If only Matty Cash could cross a ball we'd be sorted.

McGinn / Buendia on the left and Rogers at #10, and I'd agree with you.
You're right that we've got to find a way of exploiting his strengths, whilst he's still with us and the best current option upfront. I honestly cannot see him being sold in January.
I do wonder when Wilson is going to be given some gametime for the first team ...
As ever, the killer question is: who could replace Watkins and is available and affordable?

[Brazilian Villain]

We'll be on here in 10 years bemoaning the fact we've not had anyone as good since.

Unlikely, we'll have watched Rory Wilson, Fletcher Boyd, and Oscar Johnson in their prime by then.

[Smirker]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

It's a similar story with Ollie.

[PeterWithesShin]

Difference is Dalian's best was 11 league goals for us, which is Ollie's worst. Mould the talent of Dalian with the fitness and attitude of Ollie and you'd get the proper Ronaldo.

[Mellin]

What Watkins has, and has always had, is footballing intelligence, endeavour and physicality. He's never been a top level technical player, not to say that isn't to a good Premier League standard too, but those three things set him apart and he has made a very good career out of it.

What I'm concerned about, and what I think is happening, is the last two are on the wane, and the first one goes out the door with a drop in confidence. I like the lad and appreciate what he has done, but I'd be looking to replace him now...as in January.

[eye digress]

The PSG Villa Park highlights popped up on YouTube the other day for me, and it reminded me how unplayable Rashford was that night.

The media saying it knocked Ollie's nose out of joint being dropped for that one, but Unai is no mug. No way would Ollie have had the impact Rashford had that night - A league above any player in our squad and why he now plays for Barca.

Watching Rashford warm up prior to kick off at Parc des Princes, I was totally in awe. He was like a different breed. What a player.

[adrenachrome]

Dalian got pelters back in the day as he didn't score many. A lot of it was because he was so talented.

Yep, and a regular poster on this site used to refer to Dion Dublin as "a wardrobe" when he was going through a bad patch.

Going back further, I remember a song about Andy Lochhead saying "he ain't scored a goal since January, February, June or July". 

[brontebilly]

It doesn't really matter what he's done before. He's been totally shit this season, which is kind of what's important.

Correct, and he was mostly shite last season too, a worrying trend for a player about to hit 30.

On what basis was he shite last season? He looked worryingly poor when Duran was going well early on but once he got back in he was decent. More of a Euros hangover I thought at the time. I'm not sure there was much call for him to be dropped for Rashford when it happened. He finished the season strong when Rashford got injured. Missing sitters and a ropey first touch are part of the package with Ollie.

The club have been open to moving him on for 12 months though so I'd be interested if others, Emery aside, spotted a decline in him back then.

Are you arguing with me or agreeing?

He spent last season being the second best centre forward on our books, to two different players. One of whom isn't really a centre forward. He played well against Newcastle after Rashford's injury and that was about it. His performance at Old Trafford on the last day was horrific.

He was dreadful at Old Trafford but doubt he was even in our worst 5 that day! That aside, scored the winner v Bournemouth, turned game v Southampton and assist v Tottenham. That's a strong finish. I definitely don't think he was shite last season. Didn't hit the heights of the previous season granted but still decent.

[Ian.]

Just out of interest, all those who have never quite liked him, or have ever given him the credit he’s earned, did you all think Angel, Dublin, Saunders, Atkinson, Benteke, Yorke etc were more prolific or productive?

Not relevant. None of those players are going to come in and replace him (although Atkinson, Yorke and Benteke were vastly more gifted than he's ever been). Is he any good to us in 2025/26?

It wasn’t the intention to see if relevant, it was out of curiosity. All those players I mentioned (and I forgot Savo) I look back with very fond memories and at times some of them really got you on your feet with excitement. All of them too had very barren spells, or to be fair to Yorke playing in every position he was asked. Ollie will always be in that bracket for me, he’s been a superb signing and an inspiration to any young footballer playing in the lower end of the leagues.

I’m very aware Ollie hasn’t fired at all this season and agree he’s out of sorts, probably a mixture of a few things, form, confidence, lack of service, I don’t believe he’s sulking or he’s fallen out of favour with Emery which the co-commentator said at the weekend. If that was the case why does he play more often than not?

I’m pretty sure if finances allow, we’re in the market for a striker and I hope they will hit the ground running.

[john e]

I’m not one for data I rather use the eye test and Ian poses an interesting question
so my top 3 since I’ve been going would be

Gray
Yorke
Benteke

I think we all know Atkinson was probably the most talented but maybe didn’t have the right mentality and rumoured off field issues, but he did have everything a bit like our friend Duran

as for Watkins I see him at the same level as our former record goalscorer Gabby
I think both were good for Aston Villa but just as importantly Aston Villa have been good for them

( I’ve left out Gary Shaw because I’m just going on number 9s)

[LeeB]

It doesn't really matter what he's done before. He's been totally shit this season, which is kind of what's important.

Correct, and he was mostly shite last season too, a worrying trend for a player about to hit 30.

On what basis was he shite last season? He looked worryingly poor when Duran was going well early on but once he got back in he was decent. More of a Euros hangover I thought at the time. I'm not sure there was much call for him to be dropped for Rashford when it happened. He finished the season strong when Rashford got injured. Missing sitters and a ropey first touch are part of the package with Ollie.

The club have been open to moving him on for 12 months though so I'd be interested if others, Emery aside, spotted a decline in him back then.

Are you arguing with me or agreeing?

He spent last season being the second best centre forward on our books, to two different players. One of whom isn't really a centre forward. He played well against Newcastle after Rashford's injury and that was about it. His performance at Old Trafford on the last day was horrific.

He was dreadful at Old Trafford but doubt he was even in our worst 5 that day! That aside, scored the winner v Bournemouth, turned game v Southampton and assist v Tottenham. That's a strong finish. I definitely don't think he was shite last season. Didn't hit the heights of the previous season granted but still decent.

I can take a bit of inconsistency but the trajectory is a downwards over a pretty long period, I worry it's terminal.

[Smirker]

I’m not one for data I rather use the eye test and Ian poses an interesting question
so my top 3 since I’ve been going would be

Gray
Yorke
Benteke

I think we all know Atkinson was probably the most talented but maybe didn’t have the right mentality and rumoured off field issues, but he did have everything a bit like our friend Duran

as for Watkins I see him at the same level as our former record goalscorer Gabby
I think both were good for Aston Villa but just as importantly Aston Villa have been good for them

( I’ve left out Gary Shaw because I’m just going on number 9s)

Great post. Agree on Ollie Agbonlahor especially.