Unai Emery has unlocked ‘special’ Aston Villa player – ‘His plan has paid off’
Ollie Watkins finally looks like he is back to his best at Aston Villa thanks in large part to the plan put in place by Unai Emery in recent months.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his previous clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Watkins is a “special” player and is now returning to top form.
Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, with the striker coming off the bench to score both goals including a late headed winner.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Emery planned to stick with Watkins and believes he can find his best form despite calls for him to be dropped.
His performance against Chelsea was the culmination of that belief and backing from his manager, as the striker has now scored four goals in his last five games.
Unai Emery proven right with major Ollie Watkins decision
Brown told Football Insider on 30 September that Aston Villa were concerned about Watkins’ form after a difficult start to the season for the England international.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and played a key role in bringing the striker to Villa Park in 2021, insisted that Watkins is once again proving why he is so valuable to Emery and Aston Villa.
“I’m glad Watkins is beginning to hit form again,” he told Football Insider.
“When you watched the goals he scores, even the first one against Chelsea, most of them come from him running in behind and getting the ball played through.
“It gives defenders a hell of a problem and gives the midfielders a runner that they can find.
“He’s a game changer, even when he’s not at the top of his game, like the first goal where it’s a bit of a collision and a rebound and it goes in. That’s no surprise.
“Watkins is what he is, and he’s a one-off in that regard because very few forwards are like him.
“He’s a special player when he’s at his best, and Emery deserves credit for recognising that and sticking with him through the bad spell when many wouldn’t have.
“Watkins never gives up and never stops working to improve, he’s earned this return to form and I hope it can continue for him and for Villa.”
Aston Villa make January transfer plan after Watkins latest
Brown told Football Insider in November that Aston Villa want to sign a top striker in the January transfer window amid concerns about their depth in that position.
Watkins’ early season form means Villa have lacked a consistent and prolific centre-forward, with the England international still their only recognised striker.
Despite his return to goalscoring action, there is still a belief that they need to land competition for their first-choice striker when the window opens.
Emery’s side were heavily linked with moves for the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the summer as they eyed numerous forward targets.
Now, they are planning to push forward with efforts to sign a “top-class” centre-forward in the January transfer window to bolster their attacking options.
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