Adrian Clarke highlights Villa's in-form striker ahead of Saturday's encounter with Newcastle
Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players that could be decisive in Match Week 31.
Player Analysis - Ollie Watkins
With nine goals in his last 11 outings, Watkins is in top form heading into Saturday's home game at noon against Newcastle United.
Watkins' pace allowed him to run behind the last defender to score against Leicester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
But his hot streak also included two headers, as well as calm, clinical finishes from inside the box.
Steven Gerrard was constantly struggling to choose Watkins or Danny Ings for the No 1 striker position, but Unai Emery immediately identified the former Brentford star as his priority choice. Villa have scored at least once in 17 Premier League appearances under Emery, and Watkins has scored 10 of them.
Watkins' goal against Nott'm Forest
Watkins has scored in 12 appearances in different leagues this season, an achievement only surpassed by Christian Benteke, Juan Pablo Angel and Dwight Yorke in a single season for the club.
He is also scoring at a faster rate than ever at Premier League level.
Watkins minutes per table per season
Goals of the season Minutes/goals
21/2020 14,237.8
22/2021 11,268.6
23/2022 12 201.6
Newcastle have been excellent in defence this season, with Fabian Schar and Sven Botman both excelling.
But the pair struggled a little harder than usual last time out at Brentford, against Ivan Toney, and Watkins will also make it tough in a showdown between two sides chasing European spots. first six
Group Pos Pl GD Pts
1 ARS 30 +43 73
2 MCI 29 +48 67
3 NEW 29 +27 56
4 MU 29 +7 56
5 ALL 30 +13 53
6 AVL 30 +1 47
His movement around the box is exceptional and he is a very versatile finisher.
He has a knack for finding space around the box, which is why he's fifth in the Premier League this season for most shots taken from inside the box.
Most shots in the 22/23 . box
Player's shot inside the box
Erling Haaland 87
Harry Kane 82
Mohamad Salah 76
Alexander Mitrovic74
Ollie Watkins63
Ivan Toney 63
In a way, this match can be considered a gunfight between Watkins and Newcastle's high-form striker, Alexander Isak, who has scored 5 goals in the last 5 matches.
He and Watkins are two of the best strikers around, both hitting the mark for the majority of their shots.
Isak is the tournament's most accurate scorer at least five times, achieving a 90 percent shot accuracy rate. Roberto Firmino was the only striker who could clamp Isak and Watkins, who hit the target with 72.2% of the effort.
Best shooting accuracy 22/23*
Player Accuracy
Alexander Isak 90.0D44 Roberto Firmino 78.6D44 Rodrigo Bentancur 75.0D44 Phil Foden 73.1D44 Ollie Watkins 72.2D44 Son Heung-min 71.1D44 *Score at least 5 goals
If the opportunity goes to Isak or Watkins, both coaches have a striker they can count on in key moments.
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