Ollie Watkins Explains Aston Villa Form Turnaround After Historic 100th Goal
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has opened up about the reasons behind his recent scoring resurgence, which culminated in a historic 100th goal for the club. The forward, who has netted four times in his last four matches, attributes his improved form directly to the team's collective performance.
From Struggle to Success: Watkins' Season Journey
Watkins admitted to experiencing the "toughest moment" of his career earlier this season, struggling to maintain the high standards he set under manager Unai Emery. Before his recent goal against West Ham, the striker had only scored in eight separate matches across all competitions this campaign. This followed two prolific seasons where he scored 19 league goals in 2023/24 and another 16 last term.
The turning point came after Watkins was omitted from the England squad for March internationals. Since that disappointment, he has responded with crucial goals, including the opener in Aston Villa's 4-0 Europa League quarter-final victory against Bologna on Thursday night.
Historic Milestone Reached
That goal against Bologna marked Watkins' 100th for Aston Villa, making him the first player to reach that milestone for the club since Peter McParland in 1962. "Wow, when you put it like that, it's a long, long time," Watkins reflected after the match. "There have been a lot of ups and downs and it's definitely a milestone I will cherish."
The striker now has his sights set on a new target: "It only gives me motivation to score 100 Premier League goals now. That is the next one. I want to keep scoring each game. I am really enjoying this period of the season."
Team Performance as the Foundation
Watkins emphasized that his individual success is intrinsically linked to how the team performs collectively. "As a team, if the team aren't playing well it is hard personally for me to play well as well," he explained. "It is better for me if the team are at their best, playing in good combinations. The more chances I get, the better for me so yeah, collectively as a team we are playing well and I feel that helps me."
This connection between team dynamics and individual scoring output has become particularly evident during Villa's recent strong run of form. Watkins noted that when the team creates opportunities through effective combinations, his chances to score naturally increase.
Looking Ahead to Crucial Matches
With important fixtures coming thick and fast, Watkins stressed the importance of maintaining focus. "We have it all to play for. The games are coming thick and fast. Obviously Sunderland don't have European football so have had all week to prepare for it. It is important we rest up now and focus again on Sunday."
The striker believes he's peaking at exactly the right time for Aston Villa's push in multiple competitions. "Yeah, you could say so," Watkins responded when asked if his timing was perfect. "I want to keep pushing now. It is not a time to relax. We want to keep pushing."
Watkins' milestone achievement and renewed scoring form come at a critical juncture for Aston Villa as they compete on multiple fronts, with the striker's performance serving as both a barometer and catalyst for the team's overall success.
