Ollie Watkins stresses that lifting the Europa League trophy with Aston Villa carries extra importance, offering a rare chance for long-serving players to secure silverware with the club.
The 30-year-old striker joined under Dean Smith alongside Emi Martínez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, and Tyrone Mings. John McGinn arrived earlier under Steve Bruce in 2018. Aston Villa, without a trophy in 30 years, hosts Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night—their third under Unai Emery. Success could lead to a final against Freiburg or Braga in Istanbul next month.
Watkins aims to end the club’s drought and claim his first major honor.
Seizing the Moment with the Core Group
“First of all, I can remember watching the play-off final and seeing the scenes, how unbelievable that looked,” Watkins recalls. “This would be more special [winning the Europa League], but the thing is with squads, they change every year and players always leave.”
“This is the only moment when we will have all of the same players in the dressing room this year. We need to do everything we can to get to the end. It won’t be easy, and Forest are in a good moment.”
“They will do all they can to shut us down and win the game, but I do think that we are in a good place.”
Strength in Stability Under Emery
The squad’s unity stands out. “We have been through thick and thin together. We can always count on each other, and it is nice to have a core that has been together for numerous years,” Watkins says.
“It is amazing, the journey we have come on. The manager hasn’t brought in too many players, and we have achieved so much under him. It is nice to see because most teams have lots of changes and transfers, but we have kept the core of our team, and we have done really well.”
Progress continues yearly. “I think the fact that we have done so well, we have always hit a new milestone each year, but this year would be the best season, should we do that and cement the Champions League,” he adds.
“That feeling of getting Champions League football a few years ago was unbelievable, but to lift a trophy… personally, I have never done it. A few of the boys have won trophies in the changing room, and I am very envious of them.”
