Unai Emery has confirmed that Ollie Watkins is on the verge of finalizing a new contract with Aston Villa. The club and the striker are close to reaching an agreement on a five-year deal, which is a significant positive development for manager Emery.
Since Emery took charge last November, Watkins has been a prolific scorer, netting 21 goals in 37 matches, and his impressive performance earned him a call-up to the England squad this week. While discussions regarding a new contract began in April, they have gained momentum recently, with Emery considering the 27-year-old as a vital part of his future plans.
Emery expressed his optimism, saying, “I think he wants to sign a new contract with us, and we want him to sign and continue here. I think it is close.” Emery also highlighted Watkins’ commitment to constant improvement, a quality that has remained consistent throughout their year-long partnership.
Watkins is set to follow in the footsteps of Tyrone Mings, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa, all of whom have signed long-term deals with the club since the beginning of the year.
While this news is a significant boost for Emery, he also revealed that Jacob Ramsey is facing a period on the sidelines due to a recurring foot injury. Ramsey had previously suffered a metatarsal fracture in his left foot while playing for England under-21s in June during the European Championships, and he only recently returned to action. After scoring his first goal of the season in the 6-1 victory over Brighton last weekend, Ramsey experienced pain and will undergo further scans to determine the extent of his recovery time.
Additionally, midfielder Boubacar Kamara and forward Moussa Diaby are facing late fitness assessments ahead of Villa’s upcoming match against Wolves on Sunday. Both players missed the Europa Conference League win over Zrinjski Mostar due to late knocks they sustained in the Brighton victory.