Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa's talismanic centurion: 'This is definitely a milestone I will cherish'

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Watkins’ goal against Bologna had rounded off an exceptional multi-pass team move and eased any hint of anxiety in this second leg of a Europa League quarter-final. The evening ended up a stroll, with Villa winning 4-0 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate, setting up a semi-final against Nottingham Forest. Yet, more broadly, Watkins crossed the Rubicon of Aston Villa legends at the culmination of that 14-pass, nine-man move. The 30-year-old had scored his 100th goal in claret and blue across all competitions, achieving a feat not seen since Peter McParland in the early 1960s. He became only the 12th Villa player ever to bring up three figures in the process. When this was relayed to him afterwards, Watkins was pleasantly taken aback. “(It’s) definitely a milestone I’ll cherish,” he said. “It only gives me motivation to score 100 Premier League goals now.” Watkins joined from Brentford in 2020 and, 269 appearances, 44 assists and a century of goals later, his accomplishment represents a landmark in longevity and willpower. His career has been defined by constant extremes. He can shatter goalscoring records yet endure droughts. He has reached 100 goals, though detractors will argue he is not a natural finisher or is hamstrung by a wastefulness in the final third.  For all his obvious qualities and a record that puts him among the most reliable strikers in the Premier League over the past four years, he straddles a harsh line between regular praise and scrutiny. What makes his achievement so deserving is that he is always willing to ride the many ups and downs. The latest example came last month. Dropped by England, with Thomas Tuchel wanting to assess a more physical profile of forward, he responded by scoring twice away to Bologna immediately after the international break. His career has been built on overcoming scepticism. As a young boy, he was rejected by Exeter City before belatedly signing schoolboy forms. On loan at Weston-super-Mare in the sixth tier of the English game, he was a floaty teenage wide forward whose hold-up play was limited. Every rung on the ladder, people expressed doubts. Every time, Watkins evolved and triumphed. Under Emery’s predecessor, Steven Gerrard, Watkins’ work would largely come in the channels in non-threatening positions. Emery wanted his striker to stay still more, remaining within the width of the box. Wider movements would not only reduce Watkins’ goalscoring threat but hinder Villa’s attack overall. The Spaniard presented clips of two strikers he had worked with previously in Carlos Bacca and Edinson Cavani. Both were known for their patience and ability in the most ruthless area of the pitch. After the match on Thursday night, The Athletic asked Watkins if he had a favourite goal from his 100. “I like the Nottingham Forest one (in January 2026),” he smiled. “Because it was from outside the box.” Watkins can be vulnerable. Home supporters are in tune with this, often singing his name louder and more frequently after a penalty miss or the times he is left on the bench. In some ways, it is what makes Watkins so likeable and endearing. His form and confidence can appear fragile; the weight of expectation can burden him and he does not give the same impression of indestructibility as peers like Erling Haaland. He can wear the pain but, by the same token, bathe in the joy.  “He would be very hard on himself, desperate to score, to be perfect,” his captain, John McGinn, said in 2024. “It’s impossible to be perfect in this league. It’s impossible to be perfect if you’re an England striker. He’s got a big cheeser (cheesy smile) and he gets a cheeser when he scores.” Thursday’s goal against Bologna was a moment for Villa to celebrate Watkins, one of their most consequential figures in the modern era. When asked about the player’s toils this season, Emery has invariably responded in the same manner. He will describe his striker as a “fighter”.  Watkins shares the traits as a player, and as a man, that Emery values most of all. He has integrity, respect — last summer, a senior figure described the England international as a “gentleman” for his conduct throughout transfer speculation of a possible move to Arsenal or Manchester United — a distinct humility and an abiding drive to improve. He will stay behind after training, sharpening his array of finishing with Rodri, Villa’s individual coach. He will be on time, working after hours and resting appropriately on days off; rehabilitating the cyst on his knee which has impacted him in the previous two seasons. There have been other occasions where Watkins has carried injuries into games and played through the pain barrier. He does not do a lot outside of the sport, not wanting to waste energy or time on too much else. His priority is being the best day-to-day version of himself as a footballer. According to multiple sources consulted by The Athletic and speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, Watkins forms part of a leadership group that polices the dressing room. He is considered among Villa’s most professional players alongside a core of Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, McGinn and Youri Tielemans. Emery appreciates work ethic immensely and it does, to some extent, have an impact on selection. It has influenced Emery’s conviction in playing Watkins through bad periods of form and why, ultimately, he tends to get the nod over many of his past and current rivals for the sole striking slot — Danny Ings, Jhon Duran, Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen and Tammy Abraham. Competition up front has tested Watkins’ resilience. There would be a perception he would start matches, tire opposition defences, only for the person to replace him, usually Duran or Malen, to capitalise on the space afforded in the latter stages. This would then increase the clamour for them to start the next game. Watkins was frustrated when Rashford started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain last season. He expressed those annoyances both privately, in meetings with Emery, and publicly. Rashford was not trusted to start on the left, so operated as the No 9 at Watkins’ expense. But rather than sulk, he hung on in there. Emery’s closest aides share a similar opinion to sources close to Watkins regarding his contribution to Villa’s successes. Fundamentally, they are of the view that Watkins’ goals are a big reason to explain why Villa are where they are now. His peak was the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 19 Premier League goals and registering a division-leading 13 assists. He was the club’s player of the year, propelling Villa into the Champions League. Although his form can oscillate throughout a season, if you view his numbers through a wider lens, they are highly consistent. Since the start of 2022-2023, only Haaland (107) and Mohamed Salah (72) have scored more than Watkins (59) in the Premier League. His 27 goals across all competitions in 2023-24 were then followed by 17 the year after. Watkins has 13 goals from 46 appearances this term but, having scored five in last previous eight, there is confidence from the player and close observers that he will hit his target of 20, which tends to be his objective every year. “Yeah, you could say so,” responded Watkins, when asked if he now feels he has hit his stride at the season’s inflection point. “If the team aren’t playing well, then it’s hard for me personally to play well. So it’s better for me if the team are at their best and playing good combinations. “The more chances I get, the better for me. Collectively, as a team, we’re playing well and I feel like that helps me.“ Watkins has been the focal point of Villa’s sustained ascent. His impact is dramatic, with Morgan Rogers and McGinn the two Villa players who have scored the next-highest number of goals (28 and 27 respectively) since Watkins’ debut. The difference between them and Watkins is significant and underlines how dependent Villa have been on him as their primary source of goals. Watkins is already Villa’s all-time Premier League goalscorer, surpassing Gabriel Agbonlahor in May 2025. It was a record Watkins first targeted when he signed in September 2020. Support remains consistent during home games but can be mixed online. The only anomaly, in isolation, came against Maccabi Tel Aviv last November. One supporter started hurling criticism towards him. Watkins responded, turning away from the pitch and engaging in a short back-and-forth with the fan. The incident was over before it started, yet the words were taken in by Watkins. On reflection, those close to him believe it helped spur him on. Perhaps his sheer volume of goals will be appreciated most when he is no longer at Villa. Nonetheless, supporters’ veneration for their talisman abounded on Thursday evening inside Villa Park. Now Watkins and Villa stand three games away from the Europa League title — a deserving reward for their years of success and progress together. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms