Despite Ollie Watkins coming off a 16-goal and eight-assist Premier League season, many have looked to find ways to undervalue and underappreciate what the striker means for the club.
Of course, everyone looks for someone who can score 20-plus goals in a campaign. Setting aside the fact that it is an incredibly difficult feat, let alone asking for someone to do that consistently, there is more than what meets the eye when allowing oneself to look past the raw stats and numbers.
Focusing on the missed opportunities from Watkins is disingenuous. Every 'easy' miss can look simple enough when spectating. Getting into the position to even have a chance to score against high-level defenders and a top-notch keeper is difficult enough to do within the flow of a game as is.
Add the pressure of being in a Premier League match and knowing that there is rarely ever time to take too long in the opposition's final third and there are only a few in the world even qualified to be in a position to play up top.
Look at Erling Haaland or Robert Lewandowski. Those two may be at the top of many people's best strikers list. They, too, miss sitters, and injuries are plaguing them through the wear and tear of the demands of a player, just as Watkins. Although the Villa attacker still managed 31 starts and made seven appearances off the bench in the EPL for Villa this past season.
Long story short, Watkins is among the best forward options in the world. He has proven his dedication to the club and produces. A 'down year' for him is still better than a lot of players' best efforts.
Watkins will stay at Aston Villa and achieve even greater heights
The reports linking Watkins to Arsenal should be dismissed out of hand. It makes all the sense in the world for the Gunners to ask about acquiring the Villa No. 9. Goodness knows they need some quality up top.
Watkins is a Villan. Hopefully he is able to stay in B6 for a long time to come and hit the century mark for goals scored in the Premier League with Villa one day.