Ollie Watkins has made a significant turnaround in form during the 2024/2025 season for Aston Villa. It wasn't too long ago that he struggled to find the back of the net, missing critical opportunities in August during a loss to Arsenal. Following a challenging start, which saw the 28-year-old receive some criticism after just two Premier League matches, Watkins finally broke his scoring drought in gameweek four with a brace against Everton.
Currently, Watkins is on a roll, showcasing his undeniable talent and reaffirming why he is considered one of the best strikers in the league. This was particularly evident during Aston Villa's recent 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, where manager Unai Emery's side adeptly overcame an early setback and a red card issued to each team.
The game saw key moments, including an impressive penalty save by Emi Martinez that kept Villa in contention. Capitalising on this momentum, Watkins scored a powerful header from a corner, demonstrating his ability in aerial duels. Former footballer Leon Osman highlighted Watkins' ability in the air, stating, "Ollie Watkins is so underrated in the air. You would always fancy him in a one versus one... it is a brilliant header."
This season alone, Watkins has already netted three headed goals, crucial in tight matches. Against Everton, he restored Villa's hope with a goal to make it 2-1, which contributed to their 3-2 comeback victory. He added another in their game against Ipswich, helping Villa secure a 2-1 lead following a cross from Leon Bailey. With three headed goals already this season, Watkins leads the heading charts after eight Premier League matches. In total, he has scored 19 headed goals for Aston Villa in all competitions, with ten coming last season, raising expectations that he may surpass this tally.
With his current form, there is every reason to believe that Ollie Watkins will continue to be a pivotal player for Aston Villa this season. According to Aston Villa News, his resurgence not only signals a bright future for him individually but also strengthens Villa's ambitions in the Premier League.