Aston Villa hitman Ollie Watkins has been a revelation since Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa. The striker has scored a hatful of goals and has been called up for Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
The battle for UEFA Champions League places could go to the wire this season. After a stunning start to their 2023-24 Premier League campaign, Emery’s Villans are certainly in the top-four picture. Can Watkins’ goals help fire the club into next season’s Champions League?
Tough Top-Four Tussle
The fight for European places looks tougher than ever this season. Villa is in the UEFA Europa Conference right now, and winning that competition will guarantee a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
However, Emery’s troops have set their sights slightly higher, and Champions League football is a real possibility. Many Villa supporters will be backing their team for a top-four finish.
This increased competition at the top of the Premier League doesn’t just make viewing the sport more enjoyable, it has knock-on effects that bring new fans into the game through increased media attention and entertainment options. Villa going on to win the Champions League one day would make for a great Netflix documentary. The sport is growing in many sectors, and more immediate effects can be seen through the ever growing selection of online casino games where football fans can place casino bets on a whole host of football slots, like Football Cash Pots and Big Football Bonus. The Champions League would give Villa the commercial publicity a club of its stature deserves.
Watkins in Fine Form
After Watkins’ winner against his former side Brentford in mid-December, Aston Villa moved to within a point of the Premier League’s summit. They have been on a stunning rise under Emery, with Watkins’ great form playing a huge part in their success.
The forward was always praised for his work rate and endeavour but was sometimes criticised for a lack of killer instinct in front of goal. In the 2021-22 season, he netted just 12 goals in 40 appearances for club and country.
Emery’s arrival has brought the best out of Watkins, and the England international is now one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League. Villa’s No. 11 has scored hat-tricks against Hibernian and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Producing a return after back-to-back blanks 💪
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 19, 2023
Did you stick by Ollie Watkins through #FPL Gameweeks 15 and 16? 💜 pic.twitter.com/IRHyXhmY4s
Watkins has netted against London sides Chelsea, West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this term. He was also on target for England in the October friendly victory against Australia.
How Far Can Emery Take Villa?
Some optimistic Aston Villa fans will fancy their team’s chances of winning the Premier League title. They are right up there with the big guns, and the Villa players have turned Villa Park into a real fortress.
When they beat Arsenal 1-0 in early December, it was the club’s 15th consecutive home league win. They have been incredible on home soil, seeing off the likes of the Gunners and Manchester City, who were last season’s top two.
Good morning to every Villa fan, but in particular Ollie Watkins! 💜 pic.twitter.com/qPGxwS031r
— 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 (@TheVillaHome) December 18, 2023
The Aston Villa supporters are enjoying the ride, but the players and manager are fully focused on the task at hand. A top-four place in the Premier League must be a priority now, while the Villans are also looking to win the Europa Conference League.
These are exciting times for the Aston Villa faithful, and they could be welcoming Europe’s elite clubs to fortress Villa Park in the Champions League next season.
