Devon’s Ollie Watkins Ready for Champions League Step Up
After what was a fantastic Premier League campaign last season to help Aston Villa finish fourth in the table, Devon’s Ollie Watkins can look forward to the exciting prospect of playing Champions League football this term.
A striker who has worked his way up through the domestic football pyramid, the 28-year-old has come into his best years and looks to be ready to embark and thrive on Villa’s return to Europe’s elite club competition.
From Exeter City to Champions League
First playing senior football at Exeter City, Watkins has come a long way from his start to professional football at St James Park. Now shining in the Premier League, Watkins’ Villa are 7/2 in the Paddy Power football odds to finish in the top four this season. It’s a feat they managed last season, while Watkins is being discussed at 20/1 in the football betting tips to improve on last term and finish as the Premier League’s top goalscorer. The 28-year-old managed 19 goals last season in the league, which caught the eye of then England manager Gareth Southgate and set up an exciting summer on the continent for the former Brentford star.
Called up to the Three Lions squad after helping Villa secure a place in the Champions League, Watkins went on to impress at the European Championship in Germany over the summer. Scoring the crucial goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands, as reported by the BBC, to send England to the final against Spain. Although unable to help the Three Lions past La Roja in the final, Watkins could leave Germany with his head held up high for his efforts at a major tournament.
Emery Getting the Best out of Devon Star
Earning the right to play in the Champions League and shining at a major international competition for his country, Watkins has reached new heights in the last 12 months and he will be eager to keep pushing his game to the next level. Villa boss Unai Emery deserves his portion of credit for developing Watkins into one of the most prolific strikers in the English game. Emery has a wealth of experience having managed top players in Spain, England and France, which has come to the benefit of the squad at Villa Park.
'It's the BEST feeling EVER!' 🥹 Ollie Watkins PREDICTED his goal for England against the Netherlands
Under Emery, Watkins has come on leaps and bounds and he will be hoping to break the 20-goal barrier in the Premier League this season to challenge for the competition’s golden boot. There were previous reports from the Mirror linking Watkins with a move away from Villa Park to go in search of Champions League football. The man from Newton Abbot was instead able to secure Champions League football, and Villa are set for an exciting campaign in the new-look league phase of the competition. With talented players around him and a manager who knows what it takes to compete in European competitions, Watkins can make an impact in the Champions League this season.
From humble beginnings at Exeter to scoring goals in European Championship semi-finals, Watkins has deserved all the plaudits that have come his way in the last year. With Champions League football to come this season, keep an eye on what this Devon star can achieve next.
