Emile Heskey, former England striker, has sparked a debate regarding the prowess of Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in comparison to Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Despite Haaland's impressive tally of 27 goals last season, Heskey believes Watkins' all-round ability could place him on par or even above the Norwegian forward.
Watkins achieved a career-best 19 goals in the Premier League during the 2023/2024 season, playing a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s qualification for the Champions League. His performance not only solidified his place at Villa Park but also earned him recognition within England's national setup. In contrast, Haaland, who claimed the Premier League golden boot for the second consecutive season, thrived in a squad that has dominated English football.
“I think they’ve got the best striker in the league after Erling Haaland in Ollie Watkins,” Heskey stated during an interview with 10bet. “There’s an argument to be made that Watkins could be on par or even better than Haaland at this moment in time because of his all-round game and what he gives Aston Villa on top of the goals that he scores."
While both strikers demonstrate remarkable talent, the dynamics of their respective teams differ. Haaland operates in a system where he often minimizes his involvement in play, whilst Watkins is integral to Aston Villa's attacking strategies, regularly supporting teammates like Morgan Rogers, who joined from Middlesbrough in January for £8 million, with the potential for that fee to rise to £15 million through add-ons.
Heskey expressed his optimism regarding Villa's recruitment under manager Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi, particularly praising Rogers: “Morgan Rogers has been a revelation since he joined the club,” he remarked, highlighting the forward’s strong foundation from his time in Manchester City’s academy.
In other transfer news, Aston Villa are reportedly considering a record-breaking move for RB Leipzig's Castelllo Lukeba, who is valued at around £60 million. Such a transfer would establish Lukeba as Villa’s most expensive signing.
Meanwhile, concerning Haaland's future, Spanish outlet Sport has reported on Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, aiming to secure the striker's signature, with speculation anticipated around 2025 or 2026. However, TEAMtalk sources indicate that Manchester City are not looking to part ways with their star player anytime soon, despite persistent interest from clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
As Villa continue to strengthen their squad, eyes remain on their ambitions for the ongoing 2024/2025 season, as they aim to build on last year's success in both the Premier League and European competition.