At one stage this campaign, Aston Villa appeared to be nailed on to finish in the Premier League’s top four - with the prospect of a title battle even on the cards.
Unai Emery’s side enjoyed a run of eight consecutive league victories between November and December, subsequently beating title favourites Arsenal during such a period.
However, a recent run of four games without a win has seen the side tumble down to fourth in the division, with Manchester United leapfrogging the side and now boasting a three-point cushion.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on
Emery’s men lost 3-1 to the Red Devils on Sunday afternoon, no doubt having an impact on their league standings, whilst further denting the players’ confidence levels.
One player in particular has failed to provide the goods in recent weeks, which has led to concerns being voiced by the fans over his long-term future in the West Midlands.
The stats behind Ollie Watkins’ struggles at Aston Villa
Centre forward Ollie Watkins is a player who has captured the hearts of the fanbase at Villa Park, with the frontman often being the man to provide the goods in front of goal.
The 30-year-old has now scored 96 times in 266 appearances since joining from Brentford back in the summer of 2020 - even becoming the Villans’ leading Premier League scorer.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
However, he’s massively failed to deliver in recent months, subsequently sitting on just nine goals from 41 appearances this season - now going six league games without finding the back of the net.
As a result, the fans have voiced their concerns about the striker, with many stating that his pace has gone and he now looks like a shadow of his former self.
Watkins has also missed 15 big chances in England’s top-flight this term, which ranks him in fourth place among every player in the division this campaign.
Given his recent struggles in the 2025/26 season, it would be a surprise to no one if the Englishman was sold this summer, with the club desperately needing a new talisman.
The former Villa star who’s now better than Watkins
Should Watkins depart Villa during the upcoming summer window, the hierarchy will likely have to back Emery with a new talisman in the market to replace him.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in action
However, the club have previously had numerous impressive centre forwards who could have led the line, but they were prematurely offloaded in recent seasons.
Jhon Duran is just one of the former forwards who has moved into pastures new in recent years, subsequently leaving for a reported £64m back in January 2025.
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The Colombian made himself a real fan favourite in the West Midlands, despite spending just two years at the club, subsequently scoring 20 times in his 78 outings.
Many will be wishing the 22-year-old was still on the books at Villa Park, but unfortunately, the ship has sailed, with the board potentially making the wrong call in selling him.
Jhon-Duran-Aston-Villa
Duran isn’t the only former forward to have thrived away from the Villans in recent times, with Keinan Davis another player who’s found his feet after being offloaded.
The Englishman, who came through Villa’s academy, racked up 86 appearances for the club, scoring on six occasions - but none of which came in the Premier League.
He would be sent on two separate loan spells to the Championship at Nottingham Forest and Watford, even managing to score 12 goals during his two periods in England’s second tier.
However, it wasn’t enough to catapult him into the Villa senior ranks, with the hierarchy deciding to offload him for just £2m to join Udinese back in the summer of 2023.
Davis has certainly had to bide his time before making an impact in Serie A, but the 2025/26 season has seen him take his career to the next level.
Keinan Davis
The 28-year-old has already netted nine league goals this campaign - the most of any player in his current squad - highlighting his clinical edge in front of goal.
His subsequent tally is also higher than that of current Villa talisman Watkins, who’s only managed to find the back of the net on eight occasions in his 29 outings.
Away from his goalscoring abilities, Davis has also caught the eye in Italy’s top-flight, with many of his underlying stats better than those of compatriot Watkins.
He’s completed 72% of the dribbles he’s attempted this campaign, whilst winning 2.6 of his aerial duels per 90 - which further showcases his all-round talent within attacking areas.
Keinan Davis - Serie A stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Goals per 90
Chances created
Shot on target accuracy
Aerials won
Dribbles completed
Pass accuracy
The Englishman has achieved a 0.42 goal per 90 rate to date, whilst creating 1.3 chances per 90 this campaign - which has seen him be touted with an England call-up.
Selling the forward for just £2m in 2023 now appears to be a huge mistake by the Villa board, especially considering his phenomenal form away from the club this term.
keinan-davis-aston-villa-premier-league
Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis.
His ability to outscore Watkins throughout the 2025/26 season also showcases his incredible ability in front of goal, with the fans just having to watch him thrive away from the West Midlands.
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