Ollie Watkins has revealed that winning the Europa League with Aston Villa would carry extra significance, as it could represent a final opportunity for the club's long-serving players to secure silverware together. The 30-year-old striker is part of a core group that joined under former manager Dean Smith, including Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, and Tyrone Mings, while John McGinn arrived under Steve Bruce in 2018.
Aston Villa have not won a major trophy for 30 years, but they will play their third semi-final under Unai Emery on Thursday night, facing Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League tie. A potential final against either Freiburg or Braga awaits in Istanbul next month.
Watkins is desperate to end both the club's long trophy drought and his own personal wait for a major honour. Reflecting on the team's journey, he recalled the play-off final victory that secured promotion to the Premier League, but believes winning the Europa League would surpass that achievement.
“First of all, I can remember watching the play-off final and seeing the scenes, how unbelievable that looked,” Watkins said. “This would be more special [winning the Europa League], but the thing is with squads, they change every year and players always leave. This is the only moment when we will have all of the same players in the dressing room this year. We need to do everything we can to get to the end. It won't be easy, and Forest are in a good moment.”
The striker emphasised the strong bond within the squad, noting that many players have been together for years. “We have been through thick and thin together. We can always count on each other, and it is nice to have a core that has been together for numerous years. It is amazing, the journey we have come on. The manager hasn’t brought in too many players, and we have achieved so much under him. It is nice to see because most teams have lots of changes and transfers, but we have kept the core of our team, and we have done really well.”
Watkins added that while securing Champions League qualification was a remarkable achievement, lifting a trophy would be the ultimate goal. “I think the fact that we have done so well, we have always hit a new milestone each year, but this year would be the best season, should we do that and cement the Champions League. That feeling of getting Champions League football a few years ago was unbelievable, but to lift a trophy… personally, I have never done it. A few of the boys have won trophies in the changing room, and I am very envious of them.”
