'He put a lot of faith in me and gave me confidence to go out and perform, just focusing on scoring goals and helping the team. Now I am just focused, being the main man. Before I was trying to do everything, trying to cross it and get on the end of my own cross and head it. 'That wasn't down to him, I had just kind of fallen into a rut, but I feel like I have gone on a different path and really focused on being a striker. 'Definitely, under Gerrard, I know he played me all the time - I've played under all managers - but I wasn't really getting the best out of my game,' he said. Not because I don't want to interact with them.once one person asks for a photo then two or three do and it's hard to do shopping.'Īston Villa striker Ollie Watkins credits the arrival of Unai Emery for kick-starting his career after falling 'into a rut' under former boss Steven Gerrard. 'I had my earphones in and people were like - they take two looks - is that him? When I see that people have clocked me, normally I try to avoid. 'Since then I don't do the shopping, I don't get 'bothered' but a lot of people want photos. I came home and I was fuming and I said to my missus I am never going out again, you will have to do the shop. 'I came to try to do it at Villa and I couldn't. 'I remember when I moved from Brentford to Villa, I used to just go and shop in Sainsbury's normal at Brentford. If I am doing my job and playing well, my profile will raise naturally,' Watkins said. It's not that I don't want that, it is doing my job. 'The bigger you are, the more you are in the spotlight. The Aston Villa forward has had an impressive start to the season, netting seven goals in 13 appearances, thus earning him a call-up to Gareth Southgate's latest England squad. Ollie Watkins said he no longer does the food shopping because of the attention he receives, but knows his profile is only going to get bigger. Hit 'Follow' at the top of this page and if you are using the BBC Sport app, tap the bell icon to get Aston Villa news, analysis, podcasts and more sent straight to you Take that and it may not only be in Birmingham where pushing a trolley round the supermarket becomes difficult. He is an essential cog in Emery’s machine and surely must get his chance this week for his country, either against Australia on Friday or against Italy on Tuesday. Selfless running has always been a part of his game - now it is bringing greater fruit and, given he has already hit the woodwork twice this season, it could have been even more productive for the England striker. That in part is due to Watkins’ ability to drag defenders out of position and create space for the marauding midfielders behind him to exploit.

We have looked before on this page at Villa’s rapid counters but the sheer number of chances they are creating is up on last year, averaging 15.3 shots a game as opposed to 11.3.

Given he finished the 2022-23 with just six assists, this improvement shows the developing side of his game. This season, he had only managed one in his opening six but, crucially, he had been supplying assists, already pocketing four.

Last year, a streak of 11 goals in 12 appearances from mid-January caught the attention, including Watkins becoming the first player to net in five straight Premier League games for Villa. Ironic really, given that his outstanding form has made it totally unnecessary for Unai Emery to get his wallet out.Īn England call-up is just reward for the 27-year-old, whose return to St George's Park this week has been, to many, long overdue.Ī hat-trick against Brighton two weeks ago ensured Watkins’ goalscoring stats were more in line with his performances, but in truth the Villa frontman has been a potent threat ever since Emery took charge. Ollie Watkins says it is 'hard to do his shopping' in Birmingham now.

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