Ollie Watkins says he’ll kick on next season - but he first wants a crack at the Euros.
Aston Villa’s striker described his return as a ‘breakthrough’ as he helped propel Unai Emery ’s men towards Champions League qualification. Watkins collected 19 goals in the Premier League and was awarded the ‘Playmaker of the Year’ for his 13 assists.
But he failed to become Villa’s first striker since Peter Withe during the club’s First Division title-winning season in 1981 to break the 20-goal barrier. However, Watkins believes he can go one better - although he’s hoping to spend part of his summer with the Three Lions.
He said: “It was disappointing to end such a great season on such a low note at Crystal Palace. But we have been tremendous all season - very consistent - and we finished where we deserved - with Champions League football coming to Villa Park.
“Next year will be very special. What happened at Palace was poor - individually and collectively - but this doesn’t tell the story of our season. We’ve been great all year.
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“On a personal note, I’ve been consistent. There’s not much more I can do. It was the aim - to get to 20 goals - but there’s always next season. Has it been a breakthrough? Yes. But I wasn’t surprised by how well I’ve done because of all the hard work I’ve put in. And next season will be better, I’m sure of that.”
Watkins, 28, has been in and around Gareth Southgate ’s squad for the past three years and is one of the understudies to skipper Harry Kane. Watkins scored as many goals as Bournemouth ’s Dominic Solanke but his assists total makes him the leading frontrunner to board the plane for Germany next month.
He said: “Whenever you score goals and things go your way there is noise around it, it is hard to ignore that. I want to play in the Euros. There aren’t too many English strikers in the Premier League. There are a lot of wingers but not many centre-forwards, so I’m hopeful. It’s what I have been working hard towards. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Watkins scored 19 times and provided 13 assists in a brilliant Premier League campaign (Getty Images)By addressing questions about his prospects next season, the forward did not indicate that he had eyes for anything other than his future at Villa. Speculation has already started that he is a target for Manchester United.
But, having agreed a new five-year deal only this season and with Champions League football on the agenda, he will be expensive to prise clear of boss Unai Emery’s clutches. And Watkins says he expects more teams to be contenders next term.
“A lot of teams are competing,” he added. "People say Chelsea have had a bad year - but I don’t think they have. They’ll be even stronger. The new manager at Crystal Palace has them firing. Tottenham are up there. We know next season will be difficult and we must be ready.”
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