Following the rumors that star striker Ollie Watkins may leave Villa Park in the summer, Aston Villa supporters are furious. Hosts Luke and Justin of the well-liked Aston Villa-focused podcast UTV Podcast recently got into a furious debate about the rumors and how they would affect the team.
Watkins was a key component of Aston Villa’s success in 2023–24, scoring 19 goals in the league and dishing out 13 assists. “[Watkins] was only behind Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Alexander Isak in the top scorer’s charts last season,” as Luke on the UTV Podcast notes. It should come as no surprise that some of the greatest clubs in the Premier League are interested in this sort of play, with Liverpool being the most recent addition.
Aston Villa reportedly has no intention of considering any bids for Watkins, especially from teams in the top six. Justin highlights the club’s position on the UTV Podcast, saying, “Unai Emery wants to keep [Watkins] for an important season ahead.” At Villa Park, Watkins has established himself as a fan favorite, thus his departure will surely leave a big hole in the team.
The Villa faithful are shocked by the thought of Watkins departing Villa Park. The UTV Podcast conversation aptly encapsulated the ire and exasperation felt by supporters. Luke expresses what a lot of supporters are thinking when he says, “Selling Ollie Watkins would be an absolute disaster.” “There’s no way you can replace someone who scores 19 goals and gets 13 assists last season,” says Justin, echoing this sentiment.
Under Unai Emery, the project’s new manager, Watkins is viewed as imperative. Supporters are thrilled with the path the team is taking, so losing a player of Watkins’ caliber would be a big blow. Justin stated on the show that “it feels like we’re constantly taking two steps forward and one step back,” which is the cause for concern.
Supporters of Aston Villa are entitled to feel uneasy. The team has a track record of offloading important players, which frequently makes it difficult for them to contend at the top of the standings. Watkins is a representation of the advancements Villa has made in recent years in addition to being a prolific goal scorer. On the UTV Podcast, Luke makes the case that Watkins cannot be replaced. What more could you want for? He’s young, hungry, and a goal scorer.
For supporters, the summer transfer window is often a confusing period. But supporters of Aston Villa are especially concerned about Ollie Watkins. They’ve lost standout players in the past, so the prospect of losing Watkins is just too much to handle. The fans will undoubtedly raise their voices in the hopes of retaining Watkins at Villa Park, but only time will tell if Villa can hang on to their star scorer.
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