Aston Villa: Injury update emerges on ‘Amazing’ Ollie Watkins ahead of trip to West Ham
Ollie Watkins is in the form of his life for Aston Villa, and that form is being recognised by his international teammates.
Watkins has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season.
The 28-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists in England’s top flight.
Watkins has also been finding the back of the net in Europe and was on hand once again to open the scoring as Unai Emery’s side thrashed Ajax 4-0 at Villa Park in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 clash on Thursday (14 March).
Ex-Liverpool and current England international Jordan Henderson was playing in midfield for Ajax that evening, and he has been waxing lyrical about his international colleague following his side’s defeat.
While in conversation with The Daily Mirror Football (page six, 16 March), Henderson said, “Ollie is an amazing player. His running behind, strong link play, finishing – he’s got everything for a centre-forward.
“You can see the threat he possesses, even in the air.”
Watkins was forced off against Ajax shortly after he opened the scoring, but the Mirror has reported that his injury is just a cut and that the striker will be ready to feature against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday (17 March).
Will Ollie Watkins start for Aston Villa against West Ham in the Premier League at the London Stadium?
If Watkins can travel with the Aston Villa squad, Emery will be doing whatever it takes to get his striker out onto the pitch in East London.
The Englishman has been by far and away Villa’s most important player this season and with a battle to finish in a UEFA Champions League position on their hands, Villa will need Watkins fit and firing for the final 10 league matches of the season.
As per fbref, his impressive assist tally places him in the 97th percentile of his positional peers in England’s top flight this season when it comes to that particular statistic (0.36 per 90), while he ranks in the 93rd percentile when his goals and assists totals are combined (0.95 per 90).
Watkins has been one of Villa and the Premier League’s most creative players, ranking once again in the 97th percentile of Premier League forwards this season when it comes to goal-creating actions (0.80 per 90).
Even if he isn’t scoring, Watkins is a persistent nuisance for opposition goalkeepers, ranking in the 90th percentile for the number of shots on target he has had (1.84 per 90).
Watkins will be keen to line up against West Ham once again after enjoying a productive afternoon against the Hammers in this season’s reverse fixture.
Villa beat David Moyes’ side 4-1 at Villa Park earlier this season (22 October 2023), and Watkins was unplayable that day.
As per Sofascore, in addition to a goal and assist, Watkins also completed 74 per cent of his passes, with one of those key, won two of his three ground duels, one of his two aerial duels and had four shots at goal in total, missing a big chance to grab a brace.
If Watkins can repeat his tricks against the Hammers on Sunday, it would make it very difficult to argue with Henderson’s “amazing” claim.
In other Aston Villa news, one “exceptional” Villa ace could make the difference against West Ham after his 100 per cent display against Ajax.
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