By hiring a “world class” artist, The Villans might be able to make Ollie Watkins successful.
Under Unai Emery, Aston Villa has all the necessary components for another successful campaign, with Ollie Watkins unquestionably at the center of any victories attained.
In the coming summer, who else might Aston Villa sign?
As the Midlands team transformed a relegation struggle into a European finish last season, the English attacker found himself in a genuinely rich run of form. He most recently scored three goals against Hibernian in the middle of the week, just days before he shone in their victory against Burnley.
His Spanish employer will want to do everything in his power to make sure the 27-year-old has the opportunities needed to succeed as he approaches the prime of his career.
In order to rekindle their interest in Joao Felix and lure another star to Villa Park, he might thus try to break the bank for one last major purchase of the summer.
Despite the 23-year-old still having four years left on his £240k-per-week contract, their bargaining strength is getting less as the Portugal international grows more keen to leave Atletico Madrid.
Joao Felix will he be in Barcelona?
Felix has been vocal about where he would love to play, but Emery has previously used his impressive pedigree to entice Mousa Diaby and Pau Torres to join his revolution. Therefore, there is every reason to think that he may once again work his magic.
He said, “I’d love to play for Barça. My top choice has always been Barcelona, and I would dearly love to join Barça.
The Villans, who would undoubtedly profit from the arrival of such an excellent inventor, might end up with him because to the Catalan giants’ well-known financial difficulties.
He scored ten goals and contributed six more across all competitions in his final full season in Spain. He had previously starred in LaLiga with his signature smoothness and knack for creating opportunities for his teammates.
With the help of the seven huge chances he helped generate and the 0.8 critical passes he registered per game, according to Sofascore, he easily maintained a 7.15 average rating during the 2021/22 term.
When compared to other forwards in Europe, it becomes evident how much of an influence he may have on Watkins should he carry over his excellent form to the English game once more. He has the versatility to excel as a deeper midfielder or as a shadow striker.
Particularly considering that, according to FBref, he is in the top 3% for total shots per 90, the top 4% for both progressive passes and progressive passes per 90, and the top 5% for successful takedowns per 90.
It was not surprising to hear him praised by journalist Nick Emms, who arguably gave him the greatest recommendation a Chelsea supporter could make while on loan:
When Watkins is added to that kind of dynamism, who finished the previous league season with 15 goals and six assists, Premier League defenses will find it tough to contain this dual threat.
There is every reason to believe that the former Brentford star could even try to imitate Erling Haaland, who cuts a similar physical profile despite having broken so many goalscoring records. Haaland’s 29% goal conversion rate is just about on par with Watkins’ 17% from last season. Watkins has speed and power to go along with his bulky 5 foot 11 frame.
He set the bar for all other strikers to try and reach with 52 goals last season across all competitions.
Wayne Rooney, a legendary player for Manchester United and England, even asserted that “Erling Haaland is the best footballer in the world right now”—a claim that is difficult for most people to contest.
However, given how similar their physical profiles are, there is every reason to anticipate that Watkins may imitate the Norwegian goal machine should the circumstances turn out to be favorable and they maintain their strong performance from last season with Felix supporting him.
