Ollie Watkins

[DrGonzo]

Why would anybody that has been at Villa through the G times be prepared to leave just when things are turning around? 

Well played Ollie, again.

[astonvilla82]

the good thing about these super-elite clubs, is the promise-land only has 4 spaces - we're already seeing meltdowns at the likes of Chelsea and soon to be Liverpool - it's fantastic.

especially when one team has spent 500 million pounds,is it

[Drummond]

I’ve spent a very pleasant hour reading posts on the NUFC fans forum (highly recommended). One thing stands out - their respect for Ollie including a number of calls for them to sign him - some chance!

Deluded twats.

Bit harsh. If they get chumps league footy I wouldn't rule out anything with their vast wealth. Barcodes will be the next elite super club whether we like it or not.

Watkins is in negotiations for a new deal with us. He's going nowhere.

[darren woolley]

Ollie will sign a new contract he loves it here.

[chrisw1]

I have been pretty wrong about Ollie.  I always liked him but got to the stage I just didn't think his finishing was ever going to be good enough for where we want to be.  I'll make no excuses for the fact I would have preferred Ings to start above him for much of the 12 months pre Emery.  I did have a sneaking feeling that he would do well for whoever he left us for, but didn't think he was ever going to be elite with us.

Right now he looks excellent.  He always looks like he's going to control the ball and get a shot off.  He looks strong, clever and deadly.  Against Newcastle he was utterly unplayable.  I don't think I've seen such a dominant performance from a striker since Benteke.  My favourite moment wasn't a goal, but the assist for Ramsey's goal.  It was an incredible header and hopefully, there will be an iconic photo of it somewhere.

So well done Ollie.  In a few months he's gone from a frustration to surely one of the most sought after strikers in the PL.

I'm not into humble pie, but I take my hat off to him.

[Drummond]

I think Watkins has always shown he can, and is willing to, learn. Now he's got next-level coaches working with him, he's getting better and better.

[Risso]

I think Watkins has always shown he can, and is willing to, learn. Now he's got next-level coaches working with him, he's getting better and better.

His effort and dedication was never in doubt, but there was no sign that his first touch or ability to get a shot off efficiently was ever going to improve. Until it did, and then some. I do wonder now if it's because he was expending too much energy trying to do too much, and running the channels etc. You probably know like I do that when you're at the end of a game of 5 aside, when you're breathing out your arse, everything seems more difficult then at the start. Obviously it's very different for a supreme athlete like Ollie, but the theory is the same. Conserving his energy for the times that matter might mean he finds it easier to control and shoot.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Against Newcastle he was utterly unplayable.  I don't think I've seen such a dominant performance from a striker since Benteke.  My favourite moment wasn't a goal, but the assist for Ramsey's goal.  It was an incredible header and hopefully, there will be an iconic photo of it somewhere.

My favourite moment too. Somebody on here said he was pushed but now having watched it about 100 times he meant it. It was an amazing piece of football and Ramsey delivered the finish it deserved.

[Drummond]

I think Watkins has always shown he can, and is willing to, learn. Now he's got next-level coaches working with him, he's getting better and better.

His effort and dedication was never in doubt, but there was no sign that his first touch or ability to get a shot off efficiently was ever going to improve. Until it did, and then some. I do wonder now if it's because he was expending too much energy trying to do too much, and running the channels etc. You probably know like I do that when you're at the end of a game of 5 aside, when you're breathing out your arse, everything seems more difficult then at the start. Obviously it's very different for a supreme athlete like Ollie, but the theory is the same. Conserving his energy for the times that matter might mean he finds it easier to control and shoot.

Nah, I'm as unfit at the start as I am at the end! I have a burst at the start, conserve energy for 40 minutes and then have a purple patch at the end. Gut feeling is that the crowd would fucking hate me for most of the match but enjoy my contributions nonetheless.

But yes, I've not seen his running stats, but I wonder if he's covering a lot less ground now.

[danno]

I think he’s calmer now, more relaxed, much less likely to snatch at things.
That’s helped him finish chances that come his way, because he knows even if he drags one wide his teammates will fashion him another opportunity.

Before I think he would dwell on a miss, because under Gerrard it likely would prove costly.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He's still shooting too often straight at the keeper for my liking but right now I'll let him off.

[WassallVillain]

Against Newcastle he was utterly unplayable.  I don't think I've seen such a dominant performance from a striker since Benteke.  My favourite moment wasn't a goal, but the assist for Ramsey's goal.  It was an incredible header and hopefully, there will be an iconic photo of it somewhere.

My favourite moment too. Somebody on here said he was pushed but now having watched it about 100 times he meant it. It was an amazing piece of football and Ramsey delivered the finish it deserved.

I think if he hadn’t been pushed he was going for goal. He made a great adjustment and dropped it perfectly for Ramsey. Certain pen if no goal resulted I think.

[john e]

A little story regarding Ollie Watkins

My Wife used to work with a lady who was married to a professional goalkeeping coach.
although he moved around a bit he was from the midlands and knew a few people at the Villa.
Anyway about a year or so ago when she found out my wife’s family were all Villa she said she would try and get us some signed memorabilia from one of the players and we all got a bit excited

she was good to her word and kindly handed over a Aston Villa shirt personally signed by Ollie Watkins
being honest and I’m not going to lie we were all a bit disappointed as Watkins at the time was running around a lot but not scoring much and we thought we needed an upgrade in that area

So the shirt got shoved in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe and forgot about

Anyway, as we all know Ollie has become one of the most feared strikers in Europe and is the goalscoring King of Villa Park right now
so at the weekend we fished the said shirt out of hiding, bought a brand-new shirt frame, and now takes pride of place on one of our walls


And people call us fickle

[Brend'Watkins]

He's still shooting too often straight at the keeper for my liking but right now I'll let him off.

Agree with that, apart from when he hits the occasional shot Against the post. He takes chances quickly now and if there’s enough power on them it’s hard for a keeper to react especially if it nicks off a defender.

[Smirker]

I am seeing Arsenal fans online talking about wanting to sign him.

Interesting.