Aston Villa Striker Ollie Watkins Reflects on Career's Most Difficult Season
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has openly admitted that the current season stands as the toughest moment of his professional football career. In a candid interview, he revealed reaching out to legendary former player Michael Owen for guidance during this challenging period.
Struggles and Recent Improvements
Watkins has shown signs of a resurgence in the past month, scoring four goals in his last five matches. However, this comes after a difficult stretch where he managed to find the net in only seven of his previous 41 appearances. This stark contrast highlights the significant dip in form he has experienced this term.
Over the previous two seasons combined, Watkins recorded an impressive 68 goal contributions across all competitions. This included 19 Premier League goals in the 2023/24 campaign and another 16 the following season, establishing him as a key player for Villa.
Dealing with Disappointment and World Cup Hopes
The striker has also had to cope with the disappointment of being omitted from the most recent England national squad. With just two months remaining in the season, Watkins faces a crucial period to convince manager Thomas Tuchel that he deserves a spot in the squad for the upcoming World Cup.
"The toughest moment for me has probably been, throughout all of my career, this season," Watkins told the BBC. "Just because I have done so well to get to where I am, scored goals in the Premier League and then you set that expectation after hitting a new level."
He added, "I have scored goals in Europe, and after that goal in the Euros, there’s more eyes on you. Then this year I haven't been at the level I have wanted to, so to learn to deal with that is hard."
Seeking Advice from Michael Owen
To navigate these challenges, Watkins has turned to experienced figures for support. "I have a lot of very good people around me. I have spoken to players who have played the game. I speak to Michael Owen quite a bit, just because it’s easy to speak to friends but they have a biased opinion," he explained.
Watkins detailed how the connection with Owen began: "It’s not regular, but I went through my followers on Instagram and it said to follow him back, so I followed him back. Then I messaged him and we just had a chat."
Owen's advice focused on Watkins' playing style. "He just feels that when I play angry and I am a nuisance, that’s when I am at my best. So I try to bring that to the table as much as possible," Watkins shared.
Personal Reflections and Training Insights
The striker reflected on his own demeanor, noting, "Sometimes I think that I am too nice, my dad would always tell me to play angry. There will be days when you have that feeling, but I am just a nice, honest player."
He also compared his approach to teammates, such as Diego Carlos. "In training I’d be telling Diego to calm down, but that’s just the way that they are brought up and it’s a different playing style," Watkins said, highlighting the diverse attitudes within the squad.
Despite the struggles, Watkins remains optimistic about his ability to bounce back. "It can always change, football always changes, and you can score three goals in a game and then everyone says ‘he’s back in form’ and things like that. I think that change of not being at the level you want to be is difficult, but I always have faith in my ability. I work so hard that I know I can get back to the level I achieved in previous seasons."
