‘This is what I really loved’ – Aston Villa player blows BBC pundit away as full stats emerge
Ollie Watkins helped fire Aston Villa to their first win of the Premier League season, as they beat Fulham 3-1 on Sunday.
Fulham went 1-0 up through Raul Jimenez’s header before goals from Watkins, John McGinn, and substitute Emiliano Buendia secured a vital win for Villa.
Unai Emery’s men had scored just three goals in five Premier League fixtures before their impressive performance against Marco Silva’s side.
Emery provided an injury update on Tyrone Mings after the defender had to be substituted for Pau Torres in the first half.
Ollie Watkins shines in goalscoring performance vs Fulham
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Fulham should have been awarded a penalty when Josh King’s shot struck Matty Cash’s hand.
However, the Craven Cottage outfit were not given a spotkick, while Villa went on to seal all three points for the first time this term.
Analysing Watkins’ impact on the game on BBC One’s Match of the Day [28 September], former England striker Ellen White said: “I was really impressed with Ollie Watkins. His endeavour to get into the space, his runs.
“Pointing, saying ‘I want the ball in these positions‘. I feel like when you haven’t scored for a number of games, it can be a weight on your shoulders.
“So, what I really loved about Ollie Watkins is he still really wanted the ball, his teammates are still looking for him.
“He’s pointing, he’s saying, ‘look at the space, guys, I want it in this space for me to run on to and get an opportunity on goal.’
“He kept doing it again and again, especially in this first half and more so again in the second.
“I feel like Cash was looking for him. It didn’t quite happen for him, but he’s stretching the backline, making the backline honest, which means as well that the midfield can get on the ball.”
Describing a duel between Watkins and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, White added: “This one I loved. (Emi) Martinez gets the ball. It’s that hustle and bustle, that physicality, but he’s trying to get into that space.
“Martinez goes for the long ball, but it didn’t quite come off.
“This is my favourite one, which is the goal. He’s in between (Joachim) Andersen and Bassey, as a centre-forward, you want to be in between the centre-halves.
“He just had that yard off Andersen there, which gives him enough space to run into the space behind the backline. A beautiful ball from (Lucas) Digne, and what a finish that is. A lobbed finish by Watkins.
“He’s having a look at Andersen, looking and pointing where he wants it. He’s in a perfect position where neither centre-half can get close to him, and what a finish. It’s so instinctive.”
Aston Villa must use Fulham victory as a platform to kickstart their season
Aston Villa have successfully beaten Bologna and Fulham in their last two games across all competitions, but there is still no getting away from their previously woeful form just yet.
| Ollie Watkins stats | vs Fulham 29 September |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.29 |
| Goals | 1 |
Watkins had endured a tough campaign before scoring against Silva’s side, while fellow Villa star man, Morgan Rogers, is yet to score or assist this term after attracting high-profile interest throughout the summer transfer window.
Despite their victory over Fulham, Emery’s men are still just 16th in the Premier League, which is indicative of the poor performances they had previously put on.
Therefore, Villa have to ensure that they maintain their momentum with victories in their upcoming clashes with Feyenoord and Burnley in the Europa League and the top flight, respectively.
If the West Midlands side beat Feyenoord, Emery will bolster his chances of winning a remarkable fifth Europa League title in his managerial career.
Watkins will hope to cause further problems against the Dutch outfit on Thursday, 2 October.