Ollie Watkins

[nigel]

The funny thing was his heavy first touch was still apparent last night - for his goal and one or two other occasions, but it didn't impact his effectiveness.

I’m not sure his first touch was heavy for his goal, mate.
I thought he put a bit on so the defender couldn’t get a tackle in and used his pace to get between defender and ball.
That said, you could say he got the rub of the green with the ricochet of the keeper, but you reap what you sow, he deserved that bit of luck.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The funny thing was his heavy first touch was still apparent last night - for his goal and one or two other occasions, but it didn't impact his effectiveness.

As Watkins said himself he didn't really know much about the first goal, it bounced off his knee but you have to be there to stand a chance. It really is his greatest strength, getting into those positions. I've criticised his positioning this season but yesterday he put himself in a central position in front of the goal and looked a better player for it.

As for his winning header, again I've criticised him for always shooting straight at the keeper, often having already done the hard work. Yesterday he did the one think I love to see from strikers, burying it in the corner. You'd struggle to find a more clinical header from him, a real thing of beauty.

Oh and I thought he was supposed to be carrying an injury? He certainly had a spring in his step yesterday.

[Ian.]

That was a brilliant header. Fantastic leap and the direction and power was awesome. I love a headed goal.

[Percy McCarthy]

The funny thing was his heavy first touch was still apparent last night - for his goal and one or two other occasions, but it didn't impact his effectiveness.

As Watkins said himself he didn't really know much about the first goal, it bounced off his knee but you have to be there to stand a chance. It really is his greatest strength, getting into those positions. I've criticised his positioning this season but yesterday he put himself in a central position in front of the goal and looked a better player for it.

As for his winning header, again I've criticised him for always shooting straight at the keeper, often having already done the hard work. Yesterday he did the one think I love to see from strikers, burying it in the corner. You'd struggle to find a more clinical header from him, a real thing of beauty.

Oh and I thought he was supposed to be carrying an injury? He certainly had a spring in his step yesterday.

His header was a carbon copy of his goals against Liverpool and Ajax, both at VP.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The funny thing was his heavy first touch was still apparent last night - for his goal and one or two other occasions, but it didn't impact his effectiveness.

As Watkins said himself he didn't really know much about the first goal, it bounced off his knee but you have to be there to stand a chance. It really is his greatest strength, getting into those positions. I've criticised his positioning this season but yesterday he put himself in a central position in front of the goal and looked a better player for it.

As for his winning header, again I've criticised him for always shooting straight at the keeper, often having already done the hard work. Yesterday he did the one think I love to see from strikers, burying it in the corner. You'd struggle to find a more clinical header from him, a real thing of beauty.

Oh and I thought he was supposed to be carrying an injury? He certainly had a spring in his step yesterday.

His header was a carbon copy of his goals against Liverpool and Ajax, both at VP.

The Ajax one I'd forgotten, twisting his neck to put it in the opposite corner whilst under pressure from Matty Cash!

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

He’s scored some great headed goals for us.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

He was fantastic yesterday and we all hope that kickstarts something for him. Only thing I’d say is we thought the same after his double at Brighton so fingers crossed.

[dutchvilla]

Maybe Emery is deploying a tailored version of his 'conserve energy strategy' for Ollie - do nothing for half a game / season then get two goals from now on in.

[Dave]

He was fantastic yesterday and we all hope that kickstarts something for him. Only thing I’d say is we thought the same after his double at Brighton so fingers crossed.

He has been broadly fine in the time between Brighton and Chelsea though.

Good against Arsenal, decent enough against Basel and West Ham, quieter than we'd all have liked against Man Utd.

[PeterWithesShin]

He's said that it's the first time in his career he's played with an injury. As well as the physical impact it's possibe the mental side has impacted him as well.

[PaulWinch again]

He was fantastic yesterday and we all hope that kickstarts something for him. Only thing I’d say is we thought the same after his double at Brighton so fingers crossed.

He has been broadly fine in the time between Brighton and Chelsea though.

Good against Arsenal, decent enough against Basel and West Ham, quieter than we'd all have liked against Man Utd.

Yep and still got an assist in that one. Basically 4 goals and an assist in his last 5 league games is absolutely fine.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

He was fantastic yesterday and we all hope that kickstarts something for him. Only thing I’d say is we thought the same after his double at Brighton so fingers crossed.

He has been broadly fine in the time between Brighton and Chelsea though.

Good against Arsenal, decent enough against Basel and West Ham, quieter than we'd all have liked against Man Utd.

Well he normally goes on scoring runs, that didn’t happen after Brighton. I wouldn’t say he’s done much to suggest he’s back prior to yesterday so I’ll reserve judgement for a while yet.

[Crown Hill]

The funny thing was his heavy first touch was still apparent last night - for his goal and one or two other occasions, but it didn't impact his effectiveness.

As Watkins said himself he didn't really know much about the first goal, it bounced off his knee but you have to be there to stand a chance. It really is his greatest strength, getting into those positions. I've criticised his positioning this season but yesterday he put himself in a central position in front of the goal and looked a better player for it.

As for his winning header, again I've criticised him for always shooting straight at the keeper, often having already done the hard work. Yesterday he did the one think I love to see from strikers, burying it in the corner. You'd struggle to find a more clinical header from him, a real thing of beauty.

Oh and I thought he was supposed to be carrying an injury? He certainly had a spring in his step yesterday.

His header was a carbon copy of his goals against Liverpool and Ajax, both at VP.

And one I saw him get at Fulham away at the start of last season!

[Sexual Ealing]

Someone on the Guardian football podcast (lots of positive stuff aboout Villa, credit-seekers) pointed out that in his nine-and-a-half seasons as a professional (going back to Exeter), he's been unavailable for only 13 games, and that must be something that managers really value. It butters no parsnips with me, and I'll keep moaning at him, but it's a great way to explain how he's come so far.

[DrGonzo]

Definetly starts tomorrow, one of the main reasons that first half was so poor against Chelseas was the inability to hold onto the ball around the halfway line.