Aston Villa have announced that England forward Ollie Watkins has signed a new long-term deal.
The new contract will keep him at Villa Park until 2028, capping off a remarkable week for the player, who scored a stunning hat-trick against Brighton last Saturday and was called up to the national side on Thursday.
Watkins was said to be close to agreeing to fresh terms two weeks ago, with Unai Emery eager to lock down his talisman amid interest from Premier League opponents.
Manchester United were interested in the 27-year-old throughout the summer, and Arsenal and Chelsea have also been connected with him.
Aston Villa have announced that England forward Ollie Watkins has signed a new long-term deal.
Watkins joined Villa from Brentford for a then-club-record £28 million in 2020, and he has since scored 50 goals and created 16 assists in 128 games.
Under Emery, who has converted the team from relegation contenders to European challengers in less than a year, his game has reached new heights.
‘Ollie Watkins is always ready to work and give the squad what they need,’ the manager remarked at a news conference on Friday, ahead of the Villans’ match against Wolves.
‘When he’s doing his job, scoring goals and defending the first press, it’s incredibly essential for us. He is doing his job even when he is not scoring or being fantastic.
‘It’s always great for me and his colleagues. He is always really eager to learn and develop. He’s doing it right now.
‘I’ve been working with him for about a year. The first day he worked with us and when I arrived was the same as today when I met him in the training grounds.’
Ollie Watkins completes the hat trick! 🤩
The Aston Villa star becomes the first player since Andy Gray in 1976/77 to score two hat tricks for the club in the same season! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xbermWRpXu
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 30, 2023
‘It’s been a wonderful week for me and one I’ll never forget,’ Watkins said after signing his new contract.
‘I’m overjoyed. I believe that this is the finest place for me to play football; I still have a lot to do here.
‘I’ve had a pretty wonderful connection with the fans since I’ve been here,’ she says. They’ve been great with me since day one; we’ve had highs and lows, but that’s football.
‘You can see the club’s trajectory, and I want to be a part of it. We’ve only just begun. The boss has been here for a year, and you’ve seen the players’ form and improvement.
‘There are higher levels we can reach. ‘Hopefully, we can push on and qualify for the Champions League.
