Gary Lineker reacts to what Ollie Watkins said on MOTD after Aston Villa win v Fulham
Ollie Watkins has said that it is an exciting time to be an Aston Villa player and a fan and Gary Lineker reckons he is right.
Villa continued to their fine start to the season as they came from behind to beat Fulham 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday (19 October).
With the Birmingham-based club sitting fourth in the table with 17 points from eight games, Watkins, who scored their second against Fulham, insisted that things will only get better for the team going forward.
“It is only getting better for us, we see the direction the club is going, good signings, Champions League football, so yes, it’s an exciting time to be a Villa player but also a Villa fan”, Watkins told BBC Match of the Day (19 October).
Back in the studio, Lineker reacted positively to Watkins’ statement, pointing out that this is Aston Villa’s best start to a season in 26 years.
“Yes actually, their best start to a Premier League season after eight games since 1998”, the pundit said.
“They came from behind in this one [against Fulham], not for the first this season, and it was down the left-hand side they caused the most problems.”
Ollie Watkins a poster boy in Aston Villa renaissance
Watkins and Lineker are right about this being an exciting time for everyone associated with Aston Villa, who have gone from being in the Championship to sitting one behind table-toppers in five years.
While Unai Emery deserves credit for the club’s recent surge, Watkins’ role as the team’s frontman cannot be disregarded.
The England international has bagged 75 goals and 29 assists in 178 games since arriving from Brentford in 2020 – one year after the club’s promotion.
While a transfer would have been possible over these four years, Watkins has continued at Villa as their leading marksman and last signed a five-year contract extension in 2023.
Watkins’ performance and goal against Fulham put his quality on display once again, with Bryan King among those to heap praise on him.
Jhon Duran has been knocking on Emery’s door for a regular starting spot, but Watkins has shown that he is going nowhere soon.
In other Aston Villa news, this player is set to be made to train alone as his contract situation escalates.
For more Aston Villa news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.