‘Unforgivable’ – Ollie Watkins left scarred as Man United plot transfer
Ollie Watkins could have his head turned amid interest in the Aston Villa striker from Manchester United.
Watkins became Villa’s all-time leading Premier League scorer last term, while he notched a strong return of 17 goals and 14 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Manchester United struggled in front of goal last term as they landed a disappointing 15th-place finish in the top flight.
Aston Villa missed out on Champions League qualification last season, making them more susceptible to losing star players.
Watkins still ‘scarred’ by Unai Emery snub at Aston Villa
Throughout the majority of his time with the West Midlands club, the England star has served as Aston Villa’s first-choice striker.
However, when Unai Emery’s men faced PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals last season, Watkins was dropped from the starting 11 as Marcus Rashford led the line.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday, 30 July, Michael Owen said that the 29-year-old should still be angry with last term’s snub: “That’s a scar forever for me. If the manager did that to me, I can’t help it.
“I want to play in the big games and if I felt as if I’d contributed, and he has over the last few years, if you then get dropped for the biggest game of all, the biggest game in the club’s history, recent history anyway, that’s a dagger to the heart, and you can’t forgive and forget that.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United have eyed Watkins as Amorim vies to strengthen his forward options ahead of next season.
Watkins departure would be devastating for Villa
Football Insider verdict
If Man United manage to sign Watkins even though they failed to qualify for Europe last season, the Red Devils would heavily benefit from the former Brentford man’s services.
| Ollie Watkins stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 8 |
The Aston Villa man has proven his attacking prowess in the Premier League over the years, whereas the Old Trafford club’s main striker, Rasmus Hojlund, scored just four goals in the top flight last term.
Meanwhile, the West Midlands outfit do not currently boast another goalscorer in their squad, and would struggle without Watkins in their starting lineup.
Amid Man United’s pursuit of Watkins, Aston Villa are interested in Nicolas Jackson, but the 24-year-old has been inconsistent for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge side have signalled their intent to move the Senegal international on by signing both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer.
Jackson previously played under Unai Emery at Villarreal, but the Chelsea man would likely struggle to emulate the form that Watkins has shown at Villa.
Meanwhile, left-back Lucas Digne has been backed to sign a contract extension in the West Midlands in a Villa News exclusive.