Villa park Agog Over Unai Emery Derogatory Statement Pertaining His In-form Star.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has fired an ominous warning to the rest of the Premier League, insisting the best is yet to come from star striker Ollie Watkins.
The 28-year-old has been in sublime form this season, netting 19 times in all competitions as Villa push for a top-four finish and continue their quest for a trophy with a juicy UEFA Conference League last 16 tie with Ajax on Thursday.
Throughout his career, Watkins’ goal-scoring prowess has rarely come into question in his assault up the English football ranks. He scored 26 times across the 2019/20 Championship season as Brentford fell agonisingly short of promotion and earned a move to Villa a few months later.
But the Premier League represents a step up in quality and intensity that has proved the undoing of many prospects, so there was no guarantee of success.
Watkins, however, settled immediately and went on to notch 16 goals in his maiden campaign.
In fact, he has reached double figures in all four seasons he’s spent in the top-flight, form which was rewarded with a call-up to the England team.
And there are clear signs he is still evolving as a player. As well as the goals, Watkins has added assists to his game, showing his all-round ability at the focal point of a fluid and dangerous attack under Emery.
Speaking on TNT Sports’ Between The Lines, the Spaniard discussed the attributes that have made Watkins one of the best forwards in the country.
“He has scored goals before but the most important thing he does for us is he’s a hard worker and he wants always to try more,” said Emery.
“He always wants to watch movies of him trying to understand how he can improve. For me as a coach, [it’s] his behaviour, his commitment with the team.
“And then of course we are trying to help him understand each match is different. We can’t [always] have spaces in behind. I think the best of him is coming.