Aston Villa must tie down Ollie Watkins after Chelsea heroics as new contract update emerges
Aston Villa secured their fourth victory of the new Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Chelsea.
Unai Emery’s men left Stamford Bridge with all three points on Sunday (24 September) to take them up to sxith in the table.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, it was star striker Ollie Watkins who was the hero of the day, with his 73rd minute goal all that could separate the two sides.
But it wasn’t just his goal that helped Villa to a massive win, with the forward completing 86% of his passes and winning 100% of his two duels, as per SofaScore.
Remarkably, he registered just 18 touches, fewer than any starter across both sides and indeed one fewer than Villa substitute Jacob Ramsey, but Watkins did register one key pass.
More importantly, the striker showed his true class by remaining focused and patient, with Watkins taking his opportunity with open arms when it fell his way.
The Villa ace was undoubtedly the leading striker at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson struggling in the final third.
As per SofaScore, the Blues forward completed just seven of his 10 attempted passes, won just three of his eight duels and lost possession of the ball on eight occasions.
Another impressive display from Watkins has inevitably led to new contract talk, with his manager Emery producing an update in this regard after the win.
“I am working about it. We are in touch,” said Emery, as quoted by the Express & Star (24 September).
That will be welcome news to Villa fans, who will be desperate to keep their star striker at the club for as long as possible after another match-winning performance.
In other Aston Villa news, an Aston Villa Women defender has been handed a club honour following the exit of one player.