Ollie Watkins ‘terrific’ in repayment of Unai Emery’s faith for Aston Villa v Ipswich Town
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins justified his place ahead of Jhon Duran in Unai Emery’s side with a “terrific” performance against Ipswich on Sunday.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2 with Phil Jones (29 September), Danny Murphy said Watkins’ game has developed massively at Villa Park, despite Duran’s early-season form giving Emery a selection headache.
However, after Emery started Watkins ahead of Duran at Portman Road, he headed the Villans in front after Leon Bailey’s first-half cross from the right, but Ipswich hit back late on to secure a 2-2 draw.
Jones said of Watkins: “He’s a real handful – a terrific player.”
Murphy added: “He just looks a player completely comfortable in his own skin, what he’s good at.
“Every aspect of his game has improved under Emery, and he’s also being pushed for a place with Duran, so that always helps you raise your game.”
Ollie Watkins hitting form ahead of Aston Villa v Bayern Munich
Questions were asked of Watkins after the England striker went three games without scoring to open the new Premier League season, but his four strikes in the three since have roundly quashed those worries.
In 84 minutes against Ipswich, Watkins set up Morgan Rogers’ equaliser before heading home 17 minutes later, the latter being the only effort on goal he attempted at Portman Road.
Registering 0.53 expected goals and assists combined, Watkins also completed 86 per cent of his attempted passes and his 100 per cent shot accuracy reflected his current spate of form [FotMob].
Of Watkins’ 33 touches in total, five came in the final third, though he did lose possession on three occasions coming up against a physical Tractor Boys defence.
Watkins wasn’t shy to help out defensively either, making two ball recoveries and further defensive actions as the hosts registered a whopping 10 corners to Villa’s zero [FotMob].
While the 28-year-old’s hold-up play wasn’t to its usual high standard, winning 17 per cent of his duels, it’s clear that Emery has one clear choice on who to start up front against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
In other Aston Villa news, one player is surely facing the axe v Bayern after he was “terrorised” by Liam Delap at Portman Road.
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