In Focus: Watkins eyeing Europe after bagging record

Few Premier League strikers are outscoring Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins right now.

The England international has hit a scintillating purple patch of form, netting seven times in his last nine league outings for Unai Emery's in-form Villans.

His composed lofted opener in a 2-0 at Chelsea over the weekend saw him become the first Villa player to score in five consecutive away games — surpassing top-flight icon Dwight Yorke.

As the Midlands outfit look to continue a late push towards the European spots against managerless Leicester tonight, we turn the spotlight on their in-form No11.

Transformation

Much like Villa as a whole, Watkins has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager in November.

While the favoured option of the ex-Liverpool midfielder, the pacey forward had struck just twice in 14 league games prior to Emery taking over.

But the more Watkins has worked under the tutelage of the 51-year-old, the more he has looked like a player possessed.

After netting the winner in a narrow win over Southampton at the end of January, Watkins scored in his next four league games against Leicester, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton.

A few matches later, he headed home at West Ham before his delightful chip at Stamford Bridge in his next away visit, with only Harry Kane matching his efforts during that nine-game period.

Main man

It is no coincidence that Watkins' upturn in scoring form started at a similar time Danny Ings was sold to West Ham.

The 30-year-old was one of the three attackers brought in following the £100million sale of Jack Grealish in the summer of 2021 and while an eye-catching addition, his presence in the team alongside Watkins never seemed a natural fit.

Both Dean Smith and then Gerrard tried and largely failed to make the partnership a success and as soon as Emery came in, it was clear only one would have a future at Villa Park.

That the Basque tactician opted to sell Ings — Villa's top goalscorer at the time — was a real show of faith in Watkins and they are now reaping the rewards.

Mentality shift

Only Arsenal and City have won more Premier League games than Villa's nine with Emery in charge — a remarkable shift from the predicament they were in under his predecessor.

They also had just one away victory. Five months later, they have claimed the scalps of Brighton, Tottenham, Southampton, Everton and Chelsea on the road.

Villa are now a team who turn up to games believing they can win and the confidence has transpired throughout the XI on the field — not least Watkins.

The pacey striker screwed a golden opportunity wide early in the game at Stamford Bridge, a moment which might have previously had a negative effect on the rest of his performance.

But bursting through for another one-on-one chance moments later, there were no signs of that earlier miss affecting him as he coolly lofted the ball over Kepa Arrizabalaga.

European aims

That finish, followed by captain John McGinn's stunner, sealed a victory that suddenly has Villa in the race for European qualification this season.

Moving above Fulham and Chelsea and into the top half, the Midlands outfit are just two points off sixth-placed Brighton — albeit the Seagulls have two games in hand.

Ahead of facing Leicester tonight before a home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Watkins has made no secret of Villa's grand designs.

He said: "I'm still not content with where I am at, I want more.

"We've got a real understanding as a team now. The fans should be excited because we definitely are.

"I want to score 20 goals and I want to get into Europe. I want to be playing every Thursday next season."

If Watkins continues with this form, European football may not be out of the question.