Ollie Watkins
Centre-Forward · Aston Villa · England
About Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins is England's first-choice striker and one of the Premier League's most complete centre-forwards — a relentless presser, intelligent mover and reliable finisher who scored the goal that sent England to the Euro 2024 final in the dying seconds of the semi-final. He rose from Brentford (ENG)'s Championship side to Villa's Champions League campaigns to become a genuine superstar.
Ollie Watkins's story
Devon Dreamer
Watkins grew up in Torquay and came through Exeter City's academy, making his professional debut at 19. He was a direct, energetic forward with raw talent but needed development. Brentford (ENG), always ahead of the market in identifying undervalued players, signed him in 2017 and set about turning him into a complete striker.
Brentford's Breakthrough
At Brentford (ENG) under Thomas Frank, Watkins received elite coaching in movement, pressing and finishing. He thrived in the Championship — scoring 25 goals in 2019-20 to help fire them to the playoff final — before Aston Villa paid £33 million to bring him to the Premier League. It seemed like a big ask, but Watkins adapted quickly and hasn't looked back since.
Aston Villa Star
At Villa, Watkins grew into a top-six striker. Under Unai Emery he became even more complete — his goal contributions in 2023-24 (19 goals, 13 assists) were among the best in the Premier League. He won Villa's Supporters' Player of the Season award in back-to-back years, becoming the first name on the teamsheet in a side competing in the Champions League.
The Euro 2024 Moment
Watkins's career was defined in the 90th minute of England's Euro 2024 semi-final against Netherlands. Brought on as a substitute, he controlled a pass, turned and struck a low shot past the keeper to send England to the final. It was one of the most dramatic moments in England's recent tournament history, and it announced Watkins to the world as a genuine match-winner.
Did you know?
- 🏆 Watkins scored the winner for England against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final — coming off the bench and scoring within two minutes, one of England's most dramatic and celebrated moments in decades.
- 📈 Watkins's development from Exeter City's academy through Brentford (ENG) to Aston Villa is one of English football's most complete journeys — he won the Premier League Golden Boot contention and Euro 2024 hero status having played non-league football in his early career.
- 👨👩👧👦 Partner Katie Bell; they have a daughter. He settled in the West Midlands after his move to Aston Villa.
- ⚽ He scored 19 Premier League goals in a single season for Aston Villa while also providing numerous assists — performances that established him as genuinely elite by any standard.
- 🦁 Despite consistent club form, Watkins had to wait for his England opportunities — his Euro 2024 semi-final goal silenced critics who had questioned whether he would ever justify his international selection.
- 🌟 Villa's head coach Unai Emery described Watkins as among the best strikers he has managed — high praise from a coach whose CV includes Villarreal, Paris (FRA) Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
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