Ollie Watkins Set To Shine In Premier League Following Strong Pre-Season Performance

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Ollie Watkins is gearing up for the Premier League season with high expectations after a strong pre-season showing with Aston Villa. The England forward scored in Villa's 2-0 win over Villarreal, marking his fifth goal of the pre-season. This performance builds momentum as Villa prepares to face Newcastle United this weekend. Watkins, now 29, missed last year's pre-season due to injury after England's Euro 2024 final run.

Watkins emphasised the importance of pre-season, stating, "Pre-season is crucial for yourself as a player. It sets the foundations for you going into the season." He noted that missing last year's pre-season meant he had to catch up during the season. Playing these games has boosted his confidence and readiness for the upcoming matches.

The forward highlighted how essential it was to participate in pre-season matches to regain form and confidence. "For me, it's massive to play these games, feel good, get your confidence up and go into the season all guns blazing," Watkins explained. He expressed satisfaction with their preparations against teams like Roma and Marseille in Nashville.

Reflecting on their recent match against Villarreal, Watkins felt it was a positive experience that would benefit them for their Premier League opener. He is eager to return to Villa Park, where they haven't played any pre-season games this year. The anticipation of playing before a full stadium excites him as he has missed that atmosphere.

Watkins is enthusiastic about returning to Villa Park and playing in front of home fans again. "It'll be nice to be playing in front of a full Villa Park again - I've missed that feeling," he shared. The team has set significant goals for the season, starting with their match against Newcastle on Saturday.

The upcoming match against Newcastle marks the beginning of what Watkins hopes will be a successful campaign for Aston Villa. With big targets set for the season, Watkins and his teammates are ready to make an impact from the start.