Virgil van Dijk name-drops Ollie Watkins in Aston Villa admission from PFA Awards
Virgil van Dijk has picked out Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins for his performances at Aston Villa.
Watkins, 29, became Aston Villa’s Premier League top goalscorer last season after a deft header away to Bournemouth, securing his place as a B6 great.
The England international has gone from strength to strength under Unai Emery, something that resulted in keen transfer interest from Manchester United in Watkins this summer.
Despite this, the striker has remained at Villa Park and began the season in the starting 11 in Villa’s frustrating 0-0 draw against Newcastle United.
He may have been quiet against the Magpies, but that hasn’t stopped Van Dijk from showing love to the Villa man ahead of the PFA Awards on Tuesday (19 August).
Van Dijk picks out Ollie Watkins in striker conversation
There is no getting away from the fact that the Netherlands international is arguably the greatest defender in recent years across world football.
This has culminated in success with Liverpool, winning the Premier League last campaign with ease under Arne Slot alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Alister and Alisson.
In doing so, the Reds picked up four points against Unai Emery’s side, with Watkins getting on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw at Villa Park in February.
After scoring against them, Watkins was even linked with a Liverpool transfer, something which has cooled since their signing of Hugo Ekitike.
With that being said, the former Brentford man is still on the minds of the Anfield club, with van Dijk picking out the Villa man.
When asked about the best strikers he has played against, speaking via TikTok from the PFA Awards red carpet, the Liverpool star said: “Haaland, Isak, Watkins, Harry Kane, when you’re talking about the last couple of years in the Premier League.
“There are plenty there, everyone has a different challenge against them, so I respect everyone because it is the hardest league in the world.”
Aston Villa must respect Ollie Watkins more
The general feeling around the forward is strangely negative at times, regardless of a constant goal output in claret and blue.
This came last season as Watkins topped the big chances missed charts in the Premier League, something which pointed towards his wasteful nature.
| Name | Big chances missed |
| Ollie Watkins | 27 |
| Mohamed Salah | 24 |
| Erling Haaland | 21 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | 19 |
| Nicolas Jackson | 19 |
As a result, both Jhon Duran and Marcus Rashford were often preferred by supporters, but the Englishman has seen them both out the door at Bodymoor Heath.
Moving forward, especially after a stellar pre-season, more support has to be levelled at the striker, and there is every chance that he could become an elite force in the Premier League.
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