Full Ollie Watkins press conference as Aston Villa striker pays ultimate compliment to Unai Emery

Ollie Watkins will target his first Champions League goal on Wednesday night
-Credit: (Image: Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)


Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins sat down with the media at Bodymoor Heath ahead of the club's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday night (8pm).

The forward has bagged four goals in his last three league appearances and will be looking to open his account in the Champions League against the German giants at Villa Park. Here's every word he said in the pre-match press conference...

How much are you looking forward to tomorrow night?

"Really exciting for me, myself personally, for my journey and the club. It's been a long time since Champions League nights have been at Villa Park, I think everyone’s excited and looking forward to it. I can’t wait to get out there on the pitch."

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Kane has been training with Bayern - how big of a threat will he be if he plays?

"It’s pretty self explanatory. Harry is a top player and everyone knows what he’s capable of, he’s shown what he can do over the previous seasons so everyone knows his threat but the whole Bayern team too. They are one of the best teams in the competition and we all know that."

Is this the biggest stage for you to show what you can do?

"The Champions League is the biggest stage and that’s what everyone’s looking forward to, but the Premier League is also tough as well. We play Man City, Arsenal and the teams who are fighting at the top of the league and showing what they can do, it’s obviously going to be similar. It’s a different experience with Bayern because we haven’t played them before."

Does Kane get the respect he deserves?

"I think so, I can only say from what I’ve seen from playing and training with him. He’s got the records and scored the amount of goals he has for a reason and he’s well talked about for a reason. He gets all the credit he deserves and he’s put in a lot of hard work over the years to get there."

Can you consistently perform in the Premier League as well as the Champions League?

"I think it’s something we prepared for last year when we were playing in Europe. It's different playing in the Premier League and then switching to Europe. That was new for us last year but we’re ready, we’ve done that now and we’ve got the manager that we trust who has been there and experienced it all. He has us focused on the next game and ready, we’re here today training and preparing for Bayern. He always has us focused on the next game and the task in hand."

Scoring tomorrow could make you a hero…

"I think whoever scores it doesn’t really matter as long as we score. These are the nights we all dreamt of, especially since I came here. Playing Champions League football for Villa is the best it can get really, I think we’ve all got to go out there and enjoy it.

"Not make the most of it because that sounds like we’re underestimating ourselves but just enjoy it because it’s so long since the club has been involved in a competition like this and for me personally I haven’t experienced Champions League football before so I want to enjoy it because this is what I dreamt of as a kid."

How much of a special occasion will it be?

"Last year we experienced Europe for the first time for a while and this is one better. I know what the atmosphere was like last year so I’m expecting it to be topped a little bit."

Ollie Watkins has scored four Premier League goals in six games
Ollie Watkins has scored four Premier League goals in six games -Credit:Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Is there a risk you could get overawed?

"I don’t think so, we have players who have played in the Champions League from different clubs so we do have that experience there. We’re in the best hands possible, our manager has experienced and won a lot of trophies and managed a lot of Champions League games.

"We have all faith in him and in the squad and confidence that when we play our best football we can put anyone to the test and perform. The fans will be excited and we as players will be but it’s more excitement and looking forward to it than pressure."

Did you believe that Villa would become a Champions League club when you signed?

"No, not for one minute. When the manager first came in after we had just lost to Newcastle and were toward the bottom of the league, never did I think we would finish that season seventh and then go on to finish fourth. I don't think anyone would have said that. He has completely turned us around as players and the club. Full credit to him and us as players, obviously. But I would never have dreamt of it, to be honest."

Will it be a 'pinch me' moment?

"Not a pinch me moment tomorrow. But more one where we look back at how quickly everything has turned around. Since he set foot in the door it has been so positive. We have won more than we have lost and we are only getting better and improving. It is such a lovely place to be, this club, especially as a player but also for the fans and for people outside this club to see the stature of it, improving and getting better, every day and each week."

What is Unai’s secret?

"You have probably seen from his interviews he is very demanding and focused. He knows what he wants. He puts in a lot of hard work. You obviously hear about professionals putting in work off the field and doing extras. It is the same for him. He’s in early, leaves late and is so focused and demanding. It is the small details. He respects everyone as a team, no matter their league position. I think that is probably his biggest strength, just respecting everyone and knowing they are capable of causing problems when we play."

Are you looking to topple Kane in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup?

"That’s a tough question. Everyone is fighting for a position on the pitch so I want to be the man to play but day in and day out we have a good relationship. We talk and when I’m in the camp I speak to him so there’s no animosity and I’m doing all I can to be on the pitch and so is he."

What would you take from Kane’s game?

"I’m just trying to work on myself, improve day by day and do the extra work I can to help my team and help us score goals and create goals and see where that gets me."

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