According to Gregg Evans from The Athletic, Aston Villa have opened talks with striker Ollie Watkins over a new contract. The England international has been offered a contract extension on the back of his impressive form, which has seen him score 15 goals in 36 games in all competitions.
Aston Villa Open Talks With Ollie Watkins Over a New Contract
Understand #AVFC have now opened talks with Ollie Watkins over a new deal.
Unai Emery loves the 27-year-old's attitude + club want to reward him with fresh terms.#ENG🏴 manager Gareth Southgate also considering handing Watkins an international recallhttps://t.co/Z96UsI2KVO
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) May 1, 2023
Talks Have Begun Over a New Contract for Ollie Watkins
Watkins has enjoyed an impressive time at Villa Park since he joined the club in September 2020 from Brentford. His productive form has seen him score 42 times in 112 games in all competitions while providing 13 assists for his teammates. His great form has prompted The Villans to open talks with the striker over a new contract.
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The Englishman has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past and is also a boyhood fan of the club. However, he is arguably in the best form of his career, scoring 11 times in his last 15 games. He appears to be flourishing under Unai Emery, with the striker scoring two against Newcastle and one at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. According to the report from The Athletic, The villain’s manager loves the striker’s attitude, and Gareth Southgate is considering a recall for the striker into the England set-up.
The Journey of Ollie Watkins
27-year-old Watkins began his career at Exeter City, where he impressed in their academy and progressed to the first team, scoring 26 goals for the club. This eye-catching form saw Brentford sign the striker for an undisclosed fee.
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He continued to impress at Brentford – where his brilliant forward displays earned him a move to Aston Villa for an initial £28m fee, potentially rising to £33m in add-ons. His brilliant form at Villa Park has seen the striker force his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans for England and be described as “out of this world” by his club teammate Leon Bailey.
What Qualities Watkins Offers
Watkins has improved his finishing as his career has developed – and he’s moved up the football pyramid. He is quick and physically imposing, which makes him a difficult opponent for any defender. He is hard-working and doesn’t stop moving, looking to create space for himself and his teammates. He is adept at sitting on the shoulder of the last defender, constantly looking to utilise his pace running in behind. Aston Villa will be focussed on extending the contract of their star striker, while potential suitors will be keen to sign a striker with his attributes.
