Why Ollie Watkins exit set to accelerate as Aston Villa striker search finds new target

Aston Villa's pool of potential Ollie Watkins replacements has grown.

The Villains are undergoing a sizeable transfer rebuild this summer, and work isn't yet done.

Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans have all departed Villa Park, leaving significant voids in Unai Emery's squad.

Villa may yet have one more big-name player to wave goodbye to this summer, and that's Watkins.

Now 30, the England international has been in the West Midlands since the summer of 2020.

However, after 108 goals in 280 games, he may now be ready to seek pastures new, as Villa chiefs continue to formulate a succession plan.

Who have Aston Villa identified as a new striker target?

Despite finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, scoring goals was an issue for Villa at times.

Indeed, their 56 scored were the fewest of any side that finished in the top six, and was only 10 more than relegated West Ham registered.

With another top-four finish targeted in 2026-27 and a Champions League campaign to contend with, their cutting edge needs sharpening.

Mail Sport reporter Tom Collomosse claimed on Saturday that Aston Villa have now enquired over the signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The 29-year-old Crystal Palace striker is facing an uncertain future at Selhurst Park, and has been linked with a move away for some time now.

However, Collomosse claims that as of right now, Palace aren't looking to sell the French international, and no offer is on the table.

Aside from Mateta, Collomosse also claims that Villa remain keen on Nicolas Jackson, and "informal" talks have taken place to that end.

But would Mateta be an upgrade over Watkins, and where would his capture leave the Englishman at Villa Park?

How do Mateta's and Watkins' 2025-26 numbers compare?

Watkins is being heavily linked with a move to Al-Hilal, offering him the chance to likely earn a big contract in Saudi Arabian football.

Should Mateta be Villa's replacement plan, the Palace star is more of a bruising type of centre-forward as opposed to Watkins.

But with Watkins' exit now potentially set to speed up should Villa make advancements in their Mateta pursuit, would he be a smart signing?

As per FotMob, Watkins averaged 0.50 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season, whilst Mateta registered 0.49.

In that respect, Mateta could be a very solid replacement for Watkins, especially considering he put up that rate in a weaker Palace team.

Meanwhile, Mateta also averaged an expected goals (xG) of 0.59 per 90 compared to Watkins' 0.48.

On top of that, the Palace forward registered 1.30 shots on target to Watkins' 1.20, and won 4.46 duels and 2.71 aerial duels to the Villa star's 3.66 and 1.14.

So, these numbers would suggest that in a Villa side with potentially more play-making quality around him, Mateta could be an upgrade on Watkins after all.

Or at the very least, he wouldn't be a downgrade.