Aston Villa man aiming to smash club record in the near future

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has said he wants to become the club's all-time top scorer in the Premier League.

The England international, who has nine caps under his belt so far in his career, is currently on 51 after his goal away at Sheffield United last weekend. Unai Emery's side ran out 5-0 winners at Bramall Lane as they look to build on that result with a victory over Manchester United.

Watkins is closing in on Dwight Yorke's tally of 60 and Gabby Agbonlahor's 74.

He has said, as per the club website: “I knew I’d play in the Premier League one day but if you’d have told me I would score 50 Premier League goals for a club like Aston Villa, and the amount of appearances I have, then I would have said ‘you’re lying’.

“So, I’m delighted to reach this milestone.

“It’s a very proud moment for me. But I’m not going to stop here, I’m going to get to 100 and push on from there.”

The attacker added: "When I signed my new contract, that was one of my main goals – to break that, to win something with the club, to push on and try to achieve something.

“I feel like I’m improving as a player under this manager and with this team.

“Obviously I’m getting older but I feel like my game is maturing, I’ve got a better understanding and I’m being more clinical.

“So, I’ve got a lot of targets I want to reach and Gabby’s record is one of them.”

Aston Villa signed Watkins back in 2020 and he has since fired 59 goals in 148 outings in all competitions.

Prior to his move to the Midlands, he rose up through the ranks at Exeter City before spending three years at Brentford.

He chipped in with 49 goals in 143 matches for the Bees when they were in the Championship before his switch to his current club and hasn't looked back since.