Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins acknowledges the challenge of ignoring fan criticism amid his dip in form this season.
Watkins’ Impressive Past Seasons
Watkins delivered standout performances in recent campaigns. He netted 16 goals in the 2022/23 season under Unai Emery for much of the year. The following season, he scored 19 league goals, propelling Villa to fourth place and Champions League qualification. Last term, he added 16 more Premier League strikes, cementing his status as the club’s all-time top scorer in the competition.
Current Season Struggles
This season marks a contrast, with Watkins tallying just eight goals in 39 appearances across all competitions and only one assist. This follows 27 assists over the prior two seasons and 68 total goal contributions, which elevated fan expectations.
“It’s difficult now, the expectation is a lot higher,” Watkins stated. “The previous seasons, I’ve scored a lot of goals. The season where we got to the Champions League, I scored 28 goals, so the expectation from there, you’ve set your benchmark and then people will judge you on that. So if you’re not doing that then it’s all eyes on you.”
Dealing with Fan Pressure
“Where we are as a club as well, the elevation of the club has only gone up, and there’s a lot more fans that you see out and voice their opinion—sometimes it’s hard not to notice them,” he added. “In the modern day, that’s what you have to deal with. I work hard every day, try to improve, sometimes it might be your day, sometimes it won’t but you’ve just got to keep plugging away. I know the manager backs me and that’s all that matters.”
New Competition Boosts Squad
Villa bolstered their attack by signing Tammy Abraham for £18 million in January to replace Donyell Malen and increase competition for Watkins.
Watkins welcomes the addition. “I don’t ever see it as, ‘Oh, Tammy’s come in and I’m threatened’—I don’t see that,” he said. “I think it’s good in helping the team, and it gets the best out of you.”
He drew parallels to last season’s arrival of Marcus Rashford. “When Marcus came in last season, I was excited just to see [him] because I know how good a player he is. Just to try and take stuff from his game, improve as well, and I know he’s going to help the team, so as long as we’re improving collectively, then I’m happy.”
“Hopefully we [Abraham] can play up front together, but if not then it’s down to the manager,” Watkins concluded.
