Ollie Watkins gives Unai Emery new option at Aston Villa as footage on England duty emerges
Ollie Watkins has left Unai Emery spoiled for choice to try a new attacking option after what he did on international duty with England.
ITV Football posted a video on X (13 October) of England’s third goal in their 3-1 victory against Finland, which saw Watkins burst down the left flank at speed before cutting back for Declan Rice to finish.
Watkins had only come off the bench to replace Harry Kane up front with 21 minutes left on the clock in Helsinki, but was still able to make a significant impact with his 84th-minute assist for Rice.
The Villa striker may have mainly been utilised as a lone striker for both club and country over recent years, but his creative brilliance from the left wing gives Emery a dream scenario up front for the Villans.
Ollie Watkins can help to shape new-look attack at Aston Villa
Watkins entered the international break off the back of a strong run of goalscoring form at Villa Park, but he’s still been outscored six goals to four by Colombian super-sub Jhon Duran.
Against Finland it was Watkins’ creativity, rather than finishing ability, which came to the fore, creating two chances including his assist for Rice in a display which saw him generate 0.44 expected assists [SofaScore].
The Villa striker also completed 100 per cent of his nine passes and nailed his only attempted long ball, proving to be reliable in possession despite having just 12 touches in his 21-minute cameo.
Although Watkins failed to fire off a shot at goal despite coming on in the centre-forward role, he did work hard off the ball with one defensive action in the form of a headed clearance [FotMob].
Showing a clear willingness and ability to play in an attacking wide-left role – the position he played at Brentford before transitioning into number nine – Watkins may have just given Emery his dream option.
With injury clouds still hanging over the likes of Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia at Villa Park, Watkins provides Emery with an alternative on the flanks despite being the Spaniard’s go-to centre-forward.
However, with Jhon Duran chomping at the bit to start up front, and the versatile Jaden Philogene’s emergence this season, Watkins joining the pair in a front three could make Villa absolutely unstoppable.
In other Aston Villa news, Bryan King believes the club are “guaranteed” to offer one of Emery’s star players a new contract.
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