Ollie Watkins, Unai Emery, Aston Villa.
(Credit: Imago)
Villa News Speaking to Bryan King
Sun 13 July 2025 7:40, UK
Ollie Watkins has been hotly tipped for a move away from Aston Villa this summer.
The 29-year-old has been prolific for the Villans over the course of his five-year stint in B6, but he could now be heading for the exit before the new campaign gets underway.
Villa are now facing interest in Watkins from Newcastle, with the Magpies thought to be keen to sign a striker following confirmation that Anthony Elanga has completed a switch to St James’ Park.
The Saudi-owned outfit have also explored the possibility of signing Yoane Wissa and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Watkins now part of their transfer shortlist.
Ollie Watkins Aston Villa
Newcastle want to sign Watkins. (credit: Imago)
Watkins to stay at Villa despite Newcastle interest
Interest in Watkins is nothing new for Villa. Manchester United are another side who have shown an interest in the England international, and there have been plenty of suitors for him at various stages over the last few seasons.
The former Brentford man has established himself as one of the country’s most well-rounded strikers, and he could play a particularly important role for Unai Emery next season, given that Marcus Rashford seems increasingly unlikely to return.
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Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that Rashford’s return to Manchester United could play a crucial role in how Watkins views his future at Villa Park.
“It doesn’t look as though Rashford is coming back,” King said.
“Therefore, I think Watkins will be very important to Villa next season. Rashford made things difficult for him when he arrived. If I were Watkins, I’d want to stay put at Villa.
“This is where I’ve been successful, this is the club that’s given me the chance to play for England. Why would he want to leave? He will be on decent money. Moving to Newcastle isn’t necessarily a step up.
“He’d have to uproot himself and his family, who are probably quite settled in the West Midlands. I think this move would be steered more by the club than the player.”
Ollie Watkins England Aston Villa
Watkins may be reluctant to swap Villa for Newcastle. (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa can’t afford to lose Watkins
Villa’s season ended in frustrating fashion last time out, as Emery’s men missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.
With that in mind, they will surely be desperate to go one better this term, and Watkins will be central to their hopes of achieving that, such is the quality he provides.
Apps Goals Assists
225 87 41
Watkins’ Villa stats.
If the Villans were to sell the frontman, Emery would likely be heading into the new campaign with a fresh face to bed in at the top of the pitch, and that is uncertainty that simply isn’t needed at the moment.
Watkins has been one of the Premier League’s most productive forwards for several years now, and it is highly unlikely that will change next year.
Villa will know they need to continue to close the gap between them and the top clubs, but trying to upgrade on Watkins isn’t the right way to go about that.
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