Aston Villa boss Unai Emery fires warning to Premier League rivals - 'The best of Ollie Watkins is coming'

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has fired an ominous warning to the rest of the Premier League, insisting the best is yet to come from star striker Ollie Watkins.

The 28-year-old has been in sublime form this season, netting 19 times in all competitions as Villa push for a top-four finish and continue their quest for a trophy with a juicy UEFA Conference League last 16 tie with Ajax on Thursday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Throughout his career, Watkins’ goal-scoring prowess has rarely come into question in his assault up the English football ranks. He scored 26 times across the 2019/20 Championship season as Brentford fell agonisingly short of promotion and earned a move to Villa a few months later.

But the Premier League represents a step up in quality and intensity that has proved the undoing of many prospects, so there was no guarantee of success. Watkins, however, settled immediately and went on to notch 16 goals in his maiden campaign.

In fact, he has reached double figures in all four seasons he’s spent in the top-flight, form which was rewarded with a call-up to the England team.

And there are clear signs he is still evolving as a player. As well as the goals, Watkins has added assists to his game, showing his all-round ability at the focal point of a fluid and dangerous attack under Emery.

Speaking on TNT Sports' Between The Lines, the Spaniard discussed the attributes that have made Watkins one of the best forwards in the country.

“He has scored goals before but the most important thing he does for us is he’s a hard worker and he wants always to try more,” said Emery.

“He always wants to watch movies of him trying to understand how he can improve. For me as a coach, [it’s] his behaviour, his commitment with the team.

“And then of course we are trying to help him understand each match is different. We can’t [always] have spaces in behind. I think the best of him is coming.”

Emery was appointed by Villa in October 2022 following the sacking of Steven Gerrard.

He had previously led Villarreal to UEFA Europa League glory in 2021 and the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2022 but there was some scepticism after his troubled stint with Arsenal.

That was quickly forgotten as he steered Villa to a seventh-place finish last term, a result he has built on this campaign.

Asked what he has changed in his 16 months at the helm to turn the club into a top-four contender, he added: “I tried to be organised in the structure using my experiences before in different teams, in different countries and then tried to play feeling confident.

“Try to play getting our collective performance but through the individual players feeling confident and trying to set each player in his best position and tactically be organised. Offensively, defensively in different situations.”

While the current outlook is positive, Villa fans can be confident in the knowledge that the 52-year-old isn’t resting on his laurels; rather, he is targeting further improvement in all areas to build on the club’s growing momentum.

“To be demanding and analyse everything we are doing,” Emery said, when asked what was needed to reach the next level. “Be demanding on where we can improve and we can improve a lot.

“We are enjoying, we are of course feeling good, we are fourth in the table in the Premier League, we are in the UEFA Conference League next round, we are in the FA Cup to play against Chelsea and we have great motivation to get something this season, but we have to improve.

“I am being very demanding with them, every player here is ready. You have to show us you want to do something.

“I’m not here to waste my time or your time, I am here with good players and am trying to get to the best level possible.

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