Aston Villa haven’t just been successful in the transfer market over the last few years but they’ve also unearthed some fantastic gems from the academy.
Jack Grealish is always looked up to as a role model after he progressed through the Villa ranks to stardom, and Unai Emery is hoping the youngsters in his squad can have a similar impact as the Manchester City star once had at Villa Park.
Two interesting talents who have made the first squad are Tim Iroegbunam and Jacob Ramsey; the latter has developed into a crucial player after recording 13 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League last season.
But there’s someone in the ranks who has the potential to eclipse them both and emerge as Ollie Watkins’ ideal replacement.
Ollie Watkins’ 2023/24 PL season
Simply put, Watkins is absolutely instrumental to the way Villa play, their chances of picking up three points, and their overall success.
The England international has started every Premier League game this season, totaling 13 goals and 12 assists, making him a very important asset.
Together with Kieran Trippier, Watkins presently shares the league lead in assists. His ability to win games on his own makes him an extremely dangerous attacker, as seen by Villa’s most recent 2-1 victory over Fulham, in which he scored a brace.
Let’s look at who might be the number 11 successor since, unfortunately for Villa, Watkins’ amazing consistency and performances have aroused the interest of other Premier League opponents. Arsenal is the key team apparently interested in signing Watkins.
Fans of both Villa and Liverpool will be familiar with Louie Barry because the youthful striker scored in a 4-1 FA Cup loss against the Reds back in 2021.
Since then, Declan Rice describes the player as a “incredible” gem who has spent most of his time on loan at other EFL clubs but has not yet been given a true chance with the Villa first team.
The 20-year-old was having a great season for League Two leaders Stockport County when he sustained a catastrophic hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since October.
Any injury is heartbreaking, but it’s even more annoying when it happens to someone who is performing at a high level, like Barry. In fifteen games, the attacker had nine goals and two assists. The Villa loanee’s seven straight league goals even set a club record.
He was a key player for the Hatters early in the season, as the table above illustrates, frightening defenders with his exceptional movement and straightforward style.
Barry’s habit of drifting wide to the left-hand side, where he can dribble straight at the defender, cut inside, and curl the ball into the far corner or pull it to the near post, is one of his most common attributes. His actions are so unstoppable that even the Stockport admin declared him to be “unstoppable” in a live match report.
Overall, Barry could end up being Watkins’ ideal replacement, and Emery will know who to turn to if the player decides to depart Villa Park.
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