Aston Villa latest news: £28m star tipped to "go right to the top" of Premier League football | OneFootball

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GiveMeSport

·13 September 2021

Aston Villa latest news: £28m star tipped to "go right to the top" of Premier League football

Article image:Aston Villa latest news: £28m star tipped to "go right to the top" of Premier League football

Journalist Luke Hatfield has predicted Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to go all the way to the top.

How has Watkins performed at Villa?


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Eyebrows were raised when the forward became the most expensive Championship player ever when he joined for £28m from Brentford last summer, but he's done brilliantly.

Despite his lack of top-flight experience, Watkins exceeded all expectations, scoring 16 times in all competitions, 14 of which came in the Premier League.

Watkins announced himself by scoring a fine hat-trick in the dismantling of Liverpool before netting twice against Arsenal seven days later, as well as notching the winner against the Gunners, the club he supported as a boy, later in the campaign.

He continued his impressive debut season in the Premier League by scoring the winner at Tottenham in the penultimate game of the campaign, and saw his form rewarded with an England call-up – marking his debut by getting on the scoresheet against San Marino, although he was overlooked for the Euro's.

Article image:Aston Villa latest news: £28m star tipped to "go right to the top" of Premier League football

Injuries have restricted Watkins to just one Premier League start this season, which came at Chelsea on Saturday.

Despite failing to score in his opening two appearances, Hatfield is confident the striker can get even better in the future.

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He told GIVEMESPORT: "In terms of where he can go, right to the top. He's a fantastic striker in terms of he scored double figures in his first season in the Premier League. He's only had one real injury at Villa."

How far can Watkins go?

Watkins has all the attributes to become a top Premier League forward.

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Article image:Aston Villa latest news: £28m star tipped to "go right to the top" of Premier League football

Who was the most expensive Premier League signing of 2021?

He's yet to get off the mark this season, but playing alongside Ings and Leon Bailey, once he settles in English football, will only help Watkins go from strength to strength and should improve his chances of becoming a regular on the international stage, too.

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