Former England striker Emile Heskey has made a bold claim, suggesting that Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins could surpass Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in terms of overall impact on the pitch. While Haaland is widely regarded as one of the world’s best strikers, Heskey believes Watkins’ all-around game makes him a potential rival for that title.
Heskey pointed to Watkins’ pivotal role in Aston Villa’s success, praising his contribution beyond just scoring goals. “There’s an argument to be made that Watkins could be on par or even better than Haaland at this moment in time because of his all-round game and what he gives Aston Villa on top of the goals that he scores,” Heskey told *10bet*. He highlighted that while Haaland benefits from Manchester City’s attacking power, Watkins plays a more involved role in Villa’s gameplay, contributing across various aspects of the game.
Watkins has been in outstanding form, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League last season with 27 goals in all competitions. His rise has continued this year, and Gareth Southgate selected him for England’s Euro 2024 squad, where he scored the winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands.
Heskey, who scored 110 goals during his Premier League career, also praised Aston Villa’s resurgence under manager Unai Emery. He backed the team to win a trophy soon, citing Emery’s strong record in cup competitions and the club’s smart recruitment, particularly with the influence of sporting director Monchi. “I have been really impressed with everything that he has achieved at Aston Villa in such a short space of time,” said Heskey, adding that Villa have become “incredibly difficult to break down.”
One of Villa’s key players this season has been Colombian striker Jhon Duran, who has scored six goals in ten appearances despite starting many games from the bench. Heskey lauded Duran’s form and dismissed concerns about a potential January transfer, saying, “I can’t see a situation where Aston Villa would entertain offers for him… He’s only 20 and he’s going to get better and better.”
Heskey’s confidence in Watkins, Duran, and the entire Aston Villa setup reflects the growing belief that the club can challenge for honours in the coming seasons. With Emery at the helm and star players thriving, Villa’s prospects look increasingly bright.
