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By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 21:00 EST, 29 December 2025 | Updated: 21:00 EST, 29 December 2025
When Ollie Watkins made his match-winning contribution for Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans were not the only ones with their heads in their hands.
A few miles up the road in north London, Arsenal supporters would have shuddered. Some will suspect their worst fears are about to be realised: the boyhood Gunners fan returning to form just in time to harm the league leaders’ title dreams again. This time, on his 30th birthday.
Even if Watkins delivers against Arsenal and draws Villa level with Mikel Arteta’s team, it will not be decisive. After all, we are only at the halfway point of the Premier League season.
Yet if Watkins can add to his tally of six goals in 12 games against Arsenal - including huge dents in their title bids in the last two seasons at the Emirates - it would certainly reopen a few old wounds.
It would also round off one of the trickiest years of Watkins’ career on a high. A matter of months after he had scored one of the most famous goals in England’s history, the winner against the Netherlands that sealed England’s spot in the Euro 2024 final, Watkins suddenly faced an uncertain future.
For parts of last January and during the summer, it looked as though Watkins might be on his way out of Villa. Yet here he remains and, despite several laboured performances this term, his display against Chelsea shows Watkins should never be written off.
Ollie Watkins' double at Chelsea to win the game off the bench shows why he should never be written off
Watkins' goal against Arsenal in April 2024 sealed a defeat for the Gunners that all-but killed their title hopes
And his equaliser in January completed a turnaround from 2-0 down as Villa got one over on Arsenal again
The need to be No 1
Watkins is Villa’s all-time leading Premier League scorer and for most of his time at the club, he has been the undisputed first-choice centre forward. Those who have worked with Watkins believe he produces his best when he knows the coach has total faith in him.
For most of Emery’s reign, that has been the case. Watkins has scored 63 goals in 158 matches for the Spaniard and has become a far better player. But when he has a bona fide challenger for his spot, it is thought Watkins can go into his shell.
Villa's No1 No9
Most Premier League goals for Aston Villa:
80 - OLLIE WATKINS (2020-present)
74 - Gabby Agbonlahor (2006-16)
60 - Dwight Yorke (1992-98)
48 - Dion Dublin (1998-2004)
44 - Juan Pablo Angel (2001-06)
42 - Christian Benteke (2012-15)
41 - Gareth Barry (1999-2009)
This happened at times when Emery had to choose between Watkins and the chaotic talent of Jhon Duran and then, nearly a year ago, when Marcus Rashford joined Villa on loan.
At first, Emery saw Rashford as a left-sided attacker. Yet for his final eight appearances in a Villa shirt, Rashford played through the middle.
He was preferred for both legs of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain last term and produced his best display for Villa when they gave the French champions a huge fright in the return fixture. Emery’s selection that day is thought to have left Watkins particularly disappointed.
Yet after his double at Stamford Bridge, Watkins was full of praise for his manager, calling him ‘a tactical genius’. Even when Watkins’ form has been poor this term, Emery has stuck with him, both publicly and in his team selections. The hope now is that Watkins can keep repaying him.
After his double at Stamford Bridge, Watkins was full of praise for manager Unai Emery, calling him ‘a tactical genius’
Marcus Rashford was preferred to Watkins at times last season, and it stuck with the Villa man
Transfer uncertainty
Last January, Villa knew they needed to sell to be able to reinvest and stay within Premier League spending rules. Eventually, Duran was allowed to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr for close to £70m.
Yet had Duran not been sent off against Newcastle in December 2024, things might have been very different. The Colombian had replaced Watkins as Emery’s main man up front and was playing well and scoring. At that time, Villa were seriously considering selling Watkins and that was when Arsenal – the club he had always supported – made their move.
It is unclear exactly how serious Arsenal were about signing Watkins last January but their bid is thought to have been some way below Villa’s valuation, and was swiftly rejected. Once Villa had lined up the Duran deal, there was no longer any need to let go of Watkins.
Once more, Watkins was believed to have been irritated at being denied the chance to move and held talks with Emery about the situation. Back then, Emery said Watkins was ‘happy’ to stay but, tellingly, he added: ‘Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa.’
Come the summer, there were mixed messages. On one hand, Villa stressed they continued to back Watkins. On the other, rival Premier League clubs were being encouraged by intermediaries to try to sign him.
But both Arsenal and Manchester United, who had also shown an interest, preferred to look elsewhere, splashing the best part of £70m apiece on Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
While there was also interest from West Ham, it is debatable whether Watkins would have joined a club who seem to be heading in the wrong direction. The Saudi Pro League was also never seriously considered.
Villa were also looking for centre forwards – but this is the most difficult market in which to operate and in the end, they decided sticking was better than twisting.
Had Jhon Duran not been sent off against Newcastle in December 2024, things might have been very different. He had replaced Watkins up front and was playing well and scoring
Arsenal had been in for Watkins last January, and the boyhood Gooner was upset he was not allowed to join them
The future
Watkins was not the only Villa player to feel unsettled last summer and it showed in his early-season performances. As the rest of the team shook off that torpor, though, Watkins struggled to follow suit. Even his form in training was said to have taken a hit.
Emery revealed this month that Watkins had been carrying a knee problem since the start of last season and, though Emery said he would not need surgery, the Villa boss admitted Watkins might need a period of rest to ease the pain.
It seemed a strange admission to make. First, revealing a weakness to opponents, and second, taking the risk of affecting Watkins’ transfer value. Yet it served another purpose. Emery was telling the world Watkins was not operating at 100 per cent and that this should be factored into all judgments. A day later, Watkins scored twice and Villa won 4-3 at Brighton.
Watkins will surely start again at the Emirates Stadium and he should be brimming with confidence. Nothing should ever be ruled out when dealing with Villa and transfers, though. Emery said on Tuesday that Villa were open to selling players in January if it meant he could improve the squad. Surely Watkins would not be among them?
All logic says he would not. Even when he is struggling for form, Watkins is probably still a safer bet than Donyell Malen as a Premier League centre forward. Morgan Rogers is in a rich vein of goals right now but you would still back Watkins to finish the campaign as Villa’s top scorer. If he could do more damage to Arsenal tonight, it would surely end the debate.