Athletic Watkins poised to commence immediate action, following noteworthy pre-season performance
Ollie Watkins is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2025-26 Premier League season with Aston Villa, following a promising pre-season performance. After missing out on pre-season action last year due to injury, Watkins returned with a bang, scoring five goals in the team's preparations.
The forward's form was on display during the pre-season tour, which included matches against Roma, Marseille, and Villarreal. In the latter fixture, Watkins scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory, finishing off a parried shot by Emiliano Martinez. This goal was his fifth of the pre-season, a strong indication of his readiness for the upcoming season.
Watkins expressed the importance of pre-season, stating that it sets the foundations for the season. The England national team player was particularly excited to play at Villa Park for the first time during the pre-season, and he expressed optimism about the team's targets for the upcoming season. He also missed the feeling of playing in front of a full Villa Park.
The pre-season game against Villarreal was a positive one, boosting the team's morale before the Premier League launch. The launch is scheduled for this weekend, with Aston Villa set to face Newcastle United. Despite not having scored in the league yet, Watkins' pre-season form suggests potential for strong performances as the season progresses.
Last season, Watkins finished with 19 Premier League goals, placing him among the top scorers behind Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Alexander Isak. Given his past performance and strong pre-season, there are high expectations for Watkins to continue scoring goals and contributing to Aston Villa's success in the Premier League. However, the start of the season has been goalless for him so far, and it remains to be seen how he will perform over the course of the season.
Nonetheless, Watkins remains confident and is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. With the support of his teammates and the fans, there's no doubt that Watkins will continue to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
As the 2025-26 Premier League season approaches, Ollie Watkins is eager to build on his promising pre-season form, which included five goals in matches against European giants like Roma, Marseille, and Villarreal. His strong performance, culminating in a goal against Villarreal, has heightened expectations for his contribution to Aston Villa's success this season, following his impressive run of 19 Premier League goals in the previous season.
