(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 19 May 2026 17:00, UK

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Ollie Watkins is increasingly likely to remain at Aston Villa beyond the summer transfer window regardless of whether a new striker is signed.

The 30-year-old has endured a frustrating season at Villa Park but has hit form in recent weeks and is making a late push to be involved in England’s World Cup squad.

His recent performances have also proved to Unai Emery that he still has a significant role to play at the top level and he remains a big part of the boss’ plans.

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Emery is a big fan of Watkins and hopes to keep him despite targeting new striker signings.

The addition of a new centre-forward will likely be to compete alongside the England international rather than to replace him, as Aston Villa make ambitious transfer plans.

What is next for Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa?

Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Aston Villa are prepared to let Watkins go as part of their plans to reshape their attacking lineup this summer.

The striker’s inconsistent performances before the turn of the year had led to concerns about his role, but he is now proving why Emery has stuck by him for so long.

With six goals in his last seven Premier League games, including a brace against Liverpool, there is a growing feeling Watkins still has a role to play at Aston Villa.

“Ollie Watkins is like marmite to a lot of people,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He’s not an all-singing, all-dancing type striker who will come short, get on the ball, play passes, run at his man and all of that sort of thing.

“But he does something defenders hate, he runs in behind and he’s relentless, always playing on the shoulder and looking to get on the end of things.

“That makes him a very valuable asset for Aston Villa and it’s the reason he’s scored so many goals for them in recent years, even if he has had dry spells.

“Unai Emery is a big fan of him, that’s obvious, and he trusts him to lead the line more often than not even when he isn’t scoring so much.

“That says a lot about where his future will be, for me, because I can’t imagine Emery will be happy to let him go and lose that key part of his team.

“By all accounts, Aston Villa want to sign a new striker, and that’s something they’ve been looking at but I expect it’s more likely to compete with Watkins rather than replace him.

“Having two top-class strikers at the club is never a problem, that’s something that could be a big boost for Villa if that’s what they want to do.”

Which new strikers are on Aston Villa’s radar?

Amid doubts about Watkins’ long-term future at Villa Park, their recruitment team have been assessing a number of potential targets to strengthen up front.

Tammy Abraham was brought in to provide competition in January, but a number of high-profile names are now being considered to further bolster the position.

Football Insider exclusively revealed earlier this year that Aston Villa are interested in signing Nicolas Jackson when he returns to Chelsea in the summer.

The Senegal international has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich, but they opted against making the move permanent and he is now set to become available.

Emery has been a long-term admirer of the striker since their time together at Villarreal and could pursue a reunion should Chelsea be open to a deal at the right price.