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Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa striker should win player of the season, says team-mate Emi Martinez

By Sam DruryBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Aston Villacomments195

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez believes team-mate Ollie Watkins should win Premier League player of the season.

The striker's 19th league goal of the campaign clinched a 2-0 win at title-chasing Arsenal to boost Villa's hopes of Champions League qualification.

Watkins is just one goal behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland in the race for the golden boot.

"He should be a really, really good contender," Martinez told Sky Sports.

Watkins has led the charge for Unai Emery's side, who are now fourth with five matches left - three points clear of Tottenham, who have a game in hand.

His tally this campaign matches the best-ever for a Villa player in the Premier League era, while the England international, 28, is also joint-top for top-flight assists with 10.

"I think Ollie should win player of the season," added Martinez.

"When you play for a 'big six' side, you get more credit but Ollie has scored 19 goals with the chances he's got."

Although Watkins played down Martinez's suggestion, there is one individual award that he is giving his all to win.

"As a striker, you want to score as many goals as possible," he told BBC Match of the Day.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm chasing that, I'm doing all that I can to help the team to win and for me to score as many goals and assists to my team-mates as possible. I definitely have my eyes on the golden boot."

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195 comments

  • Comment posted by Sinhealer, at 20:41 14 Apr

    Unai Emery should win manager of the year.

    He took a team that was struggling badly under Gerrard, turned that season around and with very few additions has got them going for Champions League qualification, a great turnaround.

    I'm no Villa fan but it's an amazing turn around from the football Gerrard had them playing!

    • Reply posted by Aah Tea, at 22:11 14 Apr

      Aah Tea replied:
      Martinez should win player of the year, smashing bloke too, look how he extolled Watkins and how he was unabashed despite Watkins not returning the compliment.

  • Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 21:25 14 Apr

    As a Villa fan, love Watkins. Great attitude, works hard and does a lot off the ball. Seems a lovely chap too.

    His finishing has really improved these last two seasons under Emery too.

    Soutthgate would be a fool to not take him to the Euros.

    • Reply posted by Hard Labour, at 01:10 15 Apr

      Hard Labour replied:
      Agreed. He’s always been decent as an instinctive finisher but Emery has raised his level beyond belief.

      That was a lovely cultured finish today after that long run from his own half. No way would he have done that 2 years ago. He would have just tried to make sure he got his shot on target or perhaps with so much time to think he might even have fluffed it completely.

  • Comment posted by Jonoridge, at 20:58 14 Apr

    19 Premier League goals, none of which have been penalties and 10 assists.
    I can't say if he will win, but he absolutely deserves to be in the conversation. If he played for a 'Big 6' club the media would be waxing lyrical about him all the time.

    • Reply posted by Akimbo, at 21:18 14 Apr

      Akimbo replied:
      He does play for a Big 6 club. The Big 6 list needs revising.

  • Comment posted by highbury81, at 22:49 14 Apr

    I just want him to be our first player to 20 top flight goals since Peter Withe in our title winning season. Benteke should have but got sent off v Chelsea at home, so I'd love Ollie to crack this milestone. It's been far too long.
    He doesn't get enough credit for everything he does for the team, and granted he misses a few, but he also poaches a lot. Fair play to the lad.

    • Reply posted by mark, at 13:37 15 Apr

      mark replied:
      He will be the first player to score 20 top flight goals (since Peter), amazing young man with a good attitude and under Emery a really decent manager who knows how to bring out the best in his players.
      Looking forward to see what he can do in the Euros.
      I'm not a Villa fan but Villa are doing amazing this season, definitely will be in the top 6 at the end of the season.
      Good luck to you

  • Comment posted by dave, at 22:23 14 Apr

    Is Martinez Villas best signing ever, he is defo in the conversation.

    • Reply posted by Mr_Zurkon, at 00:49 15 Apr

      Mr_Zurkon replied:
      No it was Gary Penrice

  • Comment posted by phatlad, at 20:17 14 Apr

    The manager has really turned Watkins around....got him working on the core skills as a striker, movement, focus, and playing within that danger zone....it’s a wonderful thing to see a manager having such an impact on all the players at the villa...

    • Reply posted by solidsponge, at 22:01 15 Apr

      solidsponge replied:
      Apart from Watkins has scored double figures in the premiership for his whole career and scored 15 last season, so Emery has helped him score 4 more goals? Turned him around? This just isn't true.

  • Comment posted by Davie, at 22:16 14 Apr

    He's a very good player mainly due to his time at Exeter City I would add.

    • Reply posted by solidsponge, at 22:02 15 Apr

      solidsponge replied:
      Not brentford then? 25 goals in his final season..

  • Comment posted by matt, at 20:31 14 Apr

    What a player, shame Southgate has no idea how to utilise him or any of the other attackers he has at his disposal.

    • Reply posted by jimmychippy, at 20:39 14 Apr

      jimmychippy replied:
      bandwagon

  • Comment posted by trewo, at 21:55 14 Apr

    Top proper goal scorer in the Premier League so I think Watkins deserves it.

    Martinez correctly predicted that his mate Messi would win then Ballon D'Or.

    • Reply posted by solidsponge, at 22:03 15 Apr

      solidsponge replied:
      "proper" ok. In reality he is 3rd top. Do you think he doesn't take penalties for the "valor"? Or he isn't as good at penalties so doesn't take them. Which is more realistic do you think?

  • Comment posted by The King of Birmingham, at 21:38 14 Apr

    Part-wind-up, partly fair comment. Watkins hasn’t had the Man City assists and is still second at this point. If football was a meritocracy he’d be a strong contender, but he’s just not famous enough for the media / advertisers.

    • Reply posted by The Hobatron, at 21:58 14 Apr

      The Hobatron replied:
      0 penalties in his 19 speaks for itself imo

  • Comment posted by G81, at 22:24 14 Apr

    I made this point a couple of weeks ago: second for goals, top for assists. Has to be in the discussion, if not a strong favourite.

    • Reply posted by trewo, at 22:30 14 Apr

      trewo replied:
      First for proper goals.

  • Comment posted by villa_ace, at 20:32 14 Apr

    Would love to see what he can do in the Euros

    • Reply posted by jimmychippy, at 20:39 14 Apr

      jimmychippy replied:
      Watkins has had chances for England and hasn't been good enough, he was poor against Brazil. Toney offers more in terms of the build up play bringing others in and with his ability from penalties

  • Comment posted by Did I Say That, at 06:32 15 Apr

    Never mind player of the season, Villa have at least 16 superheroes and the almighty one in Unai! What a team and what a manager!

    • Reply posted by mark, at 13:39 15 Apr

      mark replied:
      And what a season.
      Not even a Villa fan but can't fail to be impressed.
      Be nice to see you guys finish top four.

  • Comment posted by rememberscarborough, at 20:30 14 Apr

    Probably a few more votes from the blue half of Manchester after today....

    • Reply posted by mark, at 13:40 15 Apr

      mark replied:
      Undoubtedly!

  • Comment posted by pompeysam, at 09:17 15 Apr

    Definitely should be in the running. 19 goals and none have been penalties. The fella rarely gets a mention ever but he’s been class this season!

  • Comment posted by Dubbus, at 22:38 14 Apr

    Whatever team wins the league gets a player to win it so at the moment your looking at Foden but I'd have Watkins right up there with him as he isn't in a top top side and what he has done is remarkable

    • Reply posted by DarthVegan77, at 07:12 15 Apr

      DarthVegan77 replied:
      Chris Wood has a better minutes per goal return...

  • Comment posted by Jonathan Hornby, at 21:20 14 Apr

    Ollie Watkins is having a great season, and Martinez is right that you get more credit if you play for one of the big three sides. It's also easier to score more goals if you play for one of the big three (because you get more chances).

    Watkins' goal conversion is higher than Haaland's (25% versus 24%). However, Isaac's is higher still at 35%, and Chris Woods' is higher again at 44%.

    • Reply posted by Jonathan Hornby, at 21:26 14 Apr

      Jonathan Hornby replied:
      And based on goals per 90 minutes, Isaac tops the charts at 0.86, with Haaland on 0.82, and Chris Wood in third on 0.79.

  • Comment posted by Davie, at 09:47 15 Apr

    To all the Arsenal fans on here with your whining & deflection I'd say that the ability to win the title was in the hands of your coach & your players. But as usual when it came down to it those overrated overpaid lightweights couldn't handle the pressure and blew it. If you've got an axe to grind it's with them & no one else.

  • Comment posted by Tony Morleys Magic Wand, at 09:32 15 Apr

    Martinez is spot on. These awards seem cliquey, but it will look ridiculous if anyone other than Rodri or Foden finish ahead of Watkins. He's elevated his finishing and movement to that of a genuine elite level striker this season, and absolutely deserves all the plaudits. UTV!

  • Comment posted by richardiv, at 22:34 14 Apr

    He has no chance of winning player of the year. He doesn't play for Pep!

    • Reply posted by mark, at 13:41 15 Apr

      mark replied:
      Clearly he doesn't need to ( play for Pep), he's rather well at Villa!

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