Ollie Watkins

[Dante Lavelli]

Ollie's attitude is everything that Agbonlahor's wasn't - 100% committed, guaranteed effort. Give me Ollie every day of the week, even with his limitations.

Jesus, yes, I struggle to think of another two Villa players past or present with such contrasting attitudes.

Agbonlahor was absolutely disgraceful towards the end.

I genuinely couldn't stand Agbonlahor by the end, it was visceral, he became one of the biggest fucking wasters I have ever come across in football. He's also thick as shit now as a pundit but I can't really hold that against him but his effort the last 4 seasons? I absolutely can.

He was one of the senior pros at the time too.  He must have stunk the place out.  The opposite of a positive role model.

[PeterWithesShin]

Ollie Watkins has been involved in 55 Premier League goals since his Aston Villa debut in September 2020 (40 goals, 15 assists).

[AV84]

I feel kind of bad for Watkins, last week the shot that led to the penalty he probably would have scored if Pickford hadn't been trying to decapitate him. This week for Cash's first, there was an awkward bounce or touch, and he did well to cross it, but another day he'd have controlled it and scored himself.

I'm perfectly happy with what he does even when not scoring, but it does feel like, Hibs game aside, the luck just isn't going his way.

[brontebilly]

I feel kind of bad for Watkins, last week the shot that led to the penalty he probably would have scored if Pickford hadn't been trying to decapitate him. This week for Cash's first, there was an awkward bounce or touch, and he did well to cross it, but another day he'd have controlled it and scored himself.

I'm perfectly happy with what he does even when not scoring, but it does feel like, Hibs game aside, the luck just isn't going his way.

Thought he dominated their backline throughout. But there was two sitters from memory today that he missed. Just didn't seem to be his day. I know it's only cameo appearances really that Duran is getting but if Watkins got injured....

[AV84]

Thought he dominated their backline throughout. But there was two sitters from memory today that he missed. Just didn't seem to be his day. I know it's only cameo appearances really that Duran is getting but if Watkins got injured....

We've been getting our goals from all over the pitch this season but Watkins is still contributing to a lot of them in other ways, so yeah, he'd be a big miss if he was out for any long spell, even if he's yet to get on the score sheet. But then again, maybe another player would be finishing some of those sitters even if they contributed nothing else to the match.

I am happier with Watkins on the pitch, goals or not, hopefully he stays fit.

[OCD]

He would have had a tap-in if Zaniolo hadn't been so desperate to get a debut goal.

[Drummond]

Watkins has more assists than any other striker since the beginning of last season. 8

[maidstonevillain]

He would have had a tap-in if Zaniolo hadn't been so desperate to get a debut goal.

Maybe Zaniolo had seen a few replays of some of his previous attempts at tap ins.

[AV84]

Zaniolo going for glory on his debut in a game we're already comfortably winning, I'll forgive, but I hope it was a one off and he knows if he's in that position again to pass it. I'm sure Emery will leave him in no doubt about that.

[OCD]

They'll watch the match back as a group and stop to analyse bits. It must be quite embarrassing when they get to the bit where Watkins has a tap-in if Zaniolo lays it off. Hopefully he learns for the next time they're in that situation.

[ozzjim]

To be fair by that point Watkins should have buried 2 sitters. He needs to take chances more consistently to kick on, he's getting plenty of them.

[Risso]

Zaniolo going for glory on his debut in a game we're already comfortably winning, I'll forgive, but I hope it was a one off and he knows if he's in that position again to pass it. I'm sure Emery will leave him in no doubt about that.

To be fair to him, I’d say his shooting chance and Watkins being in space both opened up at the same time, so it was probably easy to get caught in two minds.

[VillaTim]

To be fair by that point Watkins should have buried 2 sitters. He needs to take chances more consistently to kick on, he's getting plenty of them.

He should be on 4 Prem goals now and instead he's on 0

[ozzjim]

To be fair by that point Watkins should have buried 2 sitters. He needs to take chances more consistently to kick on, he's getting plenty of them.

He should be on 4 Prem goals now and instead he's on 0

Agreed. His finishing is still way off a top forward. Don't get me wrong, what he offers with his all round game is phenomenal.

[martyn ellis]

What I love about Ollie is that when Zaniolo decided (wrongly?) to go for goal himself, Ollie, instead of standing there arms akimbo like so many as if to say why didn't you pass to me, ran over with a big smile on his face and patted him on the back. Lovely attitude, which you can see throughout the team.