Ollie Watkins, an English professional footballer, has rapidly established himself as one of the top strikers in the Premier League. Known for his pace, movement, and clinical finishing, Watkins has been a key figure for Aston Villa since his arrival in 2020. But how has his journey unfolded. In this article, we’ll delve into Ollie Watkins’ stats, performance, and key achievements, answering some of the most frequently asked questions by football fans, based on the latest information available.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Before we dive into statistical analysis, it’s essential to understand Watkins’ background and journey to the top. Born on December 30, 1995, in England, Watkins started his career at the youth level with Exeter City, where he made his professional debut in 2014. It didn’t take long for his performances to catch the eye of bigger clubs, and in 2017, Watkins made a move to Brentford, where he would become one of the Championship’s standout players.

In the 2019–2020 season, Watkins enjoyed a breakout campaign, scoring 26 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions for Brentford, which helped them secure promotion to the Premier League. His stellar form earned him a move to Aston Villa for £28 million, making him the club’s most expensive signing at the time.

Ollie Watkins’ Premier League Stats

Since joining Aston Villa, Watkins has been a key player for the club, providing goals and assists and consistently performing at a high level. Let’s break down his Premier League stats in detail:

Goals Scored: As of the latest data available (2024), Ollie Watkins has scored over 50 Premier League goals for Aston Villa. His goal tally is impressive, especially considering his first season in the top flight, where he scored 14 goals in his debut season (2020–2021). Over the years, Watkins has consistently been Villa’s primary goal-scoring threat, hitting double figures each season.

Assists: Along with his goal-scoring ability, Watkins has also shown great vision and creativity, regularly providing assists for his teammates. In the 2022–2023 season, he registered 8 assists in the Premier League. This reflects his well-rounded game, as he doesn’t just rely on scoring but also contributes to the team’s attacking play.

Minutes per Goal: When analyzing goal-scoring efficiency, Watkins has averaged about one goal every 2.5 games in the Premier League. This statistic is noteworthy when comparing him to other Premier League strikers and is a strong indication of his ability to be involved in Villa’s offensive play.

Shot Accuracy: One of Watkins’ standout statistics is his shot accuracy, which hovers around 45%. This shows that he is a clinical finisher, with the majority of his shots on target resulting in goals. His ability to convert chances into goals is one of the key reasons behind his rise to prominence in the Premier League.

Key Passes and Playmaking: Ollie Watkins has developed into more than just a goal-scorer. His ability to link up play and create chances for others is evident in his key passes per game. On average, he provides around 1.5 key passes per match in the Premier League, a strong return for a striker.

International Stats: Ollie Watkins for England

Since earning his first England call-up in 2020, Watkins has been involved in international duty, further solidifying his reputation as a Premier League standout. Here’s a look at his stats with the national team:

Goals for England: Watkins has made several appearances for the England senior team and has scored a few goals, including a crucial strike during England’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Although he hasn’t been as prolific at the international level as he has been for Aston Villa, his presence in the squad speaks to his quality and versatility.

Playing Style with England: For England, Watkins often operates as a secondary striker or wide forward, contributing to the team’s attacking depth. His ability to stretch the defense with his pace and make intelligent runs off the ball has been highly valued by England’s coaches.

Style of Play: Strengths and Attributes

Ollie Watkins has several key strengths that make him one of the most exciting strikers in the Premier League. Let’s take a look at some of his most notable attributes:

Pace and Movement: One of Watkins’ standout features is his blistering pace. His ability to make well-timed runs behind the opposition’s defense makes him a constant threat on the counter-attack. His movement off the ball is exceptional, allowing him to create space and receive passes in dangerous areas.

Finishing and Composure: Watkins is a clinical finisher. Whether it’s with his right foot, left foot, or head, he has shown that he can finish from various positions. His composure in front of goal is another strength, allowing him to maintain a cool head in high-pressure moments.

Work Rate and Pressing: Another aspect of Watkins’ game that sets him apart from other strikers is his work rate. He is known for his relentless pressing, often leading the charge in Aston Villa’s high press. His work ethic off the ball has made him a favorite among managers, and it’s one of the reasons he’s so effective in pressing opposition defenses and forcing mistakes.

Versatility: Watkins is a versatile forward who can play both as a central striker and as a winger. His ability to operate in different attacking positions has been crucial for Aston Villa, giving manager Unai Emery tactical flexibility. Watkins’ versatility allows him to adapt to different systems and formations.

Ollie Watkins in the 2023–2024 Season

As of the most recent season, Ollie Watkins has continued to impress, maintaining his position as one of Villa’s most consistent performers. Here’s a breakdown of his performance in the 2023–2024 Premier League season:

Goals: Watkins has continued his form as a reliable goal-scorer, netting 10 goals by the mid-point of the 2023–2024 season. This keeps him on track to once again reach double figures for the season, cementing his role as one of the league’s leading strikers.

Assists: He has also contributed 4 assists in the current season, showcasing his all-around game and importance in Villa’s offensive play.

Average Rating: According to advanced statistical platforms like WhoScored and SofaScore, Watkins is regularly rated around 7.5/10 in terms of his performances, underlining his high level of consistency and quality week in and week out.

Comparisons with Other Premier League Strikers

When compared to other Premier League strikers, Watkins holds his own in several key metrics. Let’s compare him to some of the other top strikers in the league:

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): Harry Kane, now playing for Bayern Munich, remains one of the top goal-scorers in Premier League history. However, Ollie Watkins’ ability to keep pace with Kane’s goal-scoring rate, despite being at a club with fewer resources, speaks to his quality. Watkins has demonstrated that he can consistently score goals in the top flight.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City): Erling Haaland, one of the most prolific goal-scorers in Europe, is an entirely different class in terms of goals per game. However, Watkins is one of the more well-rounded strikers in the Premier League, excelling in playmaking and versatility, while Haaland’s game is more focused on pure goal-scoring.

Ivan Toney (Brentford): Ivan Toney has also impressed in the Premier League, and many have compared him to Watkins due to their similar playing styles. While Toney is known for his strength and aerial ability, Watkins’ pace and movement offer a different dynamic, making him a more dangerous player on the counter-attack.

FAQs

How does Ollie Watkins compare to other Premier League strikers?

Ollie Watkins has proven to be a strong competitor among Premier League strikers. Although not always in the top tier like some of the league’s biggest names (e.g., Harry Kane or Erling Haaland), his consistency, work rate, and ability to contribute to both goals and assists put him in the conversation as one of the better forwards in the league.

What is Ollie Watkins’ injury history?

Ollie Watkins has generally been a durable player throughout his career, with only a few minor injuries keeping him out of action. His fitness levels and work ethic have contributed to his regular appearances for both Aston Villa and the England national team.

Where did Ollie Watkins play before Aston Villa?

Before joining Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins played for Brentford in the Championship, where he impressed with his goal-scoring form and helped the club achieve promotion to the Premier League. He had a stellar 2019-2020 season, scoring 26 goals in the league and earning a move to Villa.

What is Ollie Watkins’ international future with England?

Ollie Watkins has a bright future with the England national team. While he may not always be a starter, he’s regarded as one of the key backup options in the forward line, particularly with his ability to adapt to different roles and his pressing style. He’s expected to continue competing for a place in major international tournaments.

Where can I watch Ollie Watkins’ matches?

Ollie Watkins’ matches for Aston Villa can be watched on various streaming platforms, depending on your region, including services like Sky Sports, BT Sport, and fuboTV in the UK, or Peacock and NBC Sports in the US. For England games, they are generally broadcast on ITV or BBC Sport.

In Summary

Ollie Watkins has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and hard-working forwards. With a growing goal tally for Aston Villa and promising contributions to the England national team, his stats reflect a player on the rise. Whether you’re a football enthusiast tracking his latest performances or a fan wanting to know more about his journey, Ollie Watkins’ career continues to impress with each passing season. As he enters the prime years of his career, there’s every reason to believe that his impact on both club and international football will only get stronger. Keep an eye on this prolific striker his best may still be yet to come.

To read more, Click Here .