The air is growing thin at the summit of the Premier League. We have entered the treacherous, unforgiving stretch of the campaign where dreams are either realised or shattered.
This Sunday, the Theatre of Dreams plays host to a modern gladiatorial contest: third-placed Manchester United against fourth-placed Aston Villa. It’s a Champions League qualification six-pointer of the highest magnitude.
For football purists, there is one destination to witness the drama unfold.
This pivotal clash, along with every other breathless moment of the Premier League season, will be broadcast live on Your World of Champions, SuperSport.
For Aston Villa’s talisman, Ollie Watkins, the gravity of a trip to Old Trafford is inescapable.
The stakes transcend a mere three points; it is about taking those points directly from a direct top-four rival.
“Yes, exactly. You just said it yourself. It’s massive,” Watkins admits when discussing the magnitude of the encounter.”
“United have been unbelievable since Michael Carrick came in. It was always difficult to go there previously, so it’s going to be even tougher now with the way they’re playing, scoring goals, and playing good football.”
The transformation of the Red Devils has certainly not gone unnoticed by the Villa forward.
“They’re doing so well, winning a lot of games back-to-back, and it looks like they’re scoring a lot more goals. I’ve always found it difficult to play against Man United.”
“I don’t think we’ve beaten them previously. I think the last time we beat them was the boss’s first game here, which was about three and a half years ago, I think.”
“So yes, it’s going to be difficult. There’s no doubt about it. They’re always tough to play against. They’re a top team with world-class players however I’m looking forward to it, though.”
Adding fuel to the fire is the lingering memory of how last season’s fixture concluded in Manchester.
When asked if Villa owed United one, Watkins offered a wry, measured response.
“You could say that. I don’t want to get involved with decisions that are out of my hands, like the referees’ decisions, but you could say that. Like I said, if we can get three points from that, it will be big.”
One player who knows exactly how to breach the United defence is Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who previously scored twice against them.
“Morgs has grown into that role and taken that responsibility on himself.”
“Like you said, when he scored two goals against Man United, they were two brilliant moments in the game, and they completely changed it. That’s what top players do. So yes, he’s an amazing player.”
Navigating the Blip
Despite the dizzying heights of fourth place, Villa arrive at Old Trafford, navigating a tricky spell, marred by a recent agonising defeat to Chelsea, and a run of just one league win in six.
“Yes, I think obviously, to start with, it’s always disappointing to lose, especially at Villa Park,” Watkins reflects on the Chelsea fixture.
“To go one goal ahead and then concede and lose the game in the way we did is disappointing, and it does hurt. I felt like we were in the game, and we had a lot of chances.”
“Obviously, I scored, and it was ruled out by a toenail. I think if we go into halftime 2–1 up, it’s a completely different game. They score straight after, and then they go into halftime 2–1 up. So, you know, fine margins.”
“But look, we’ve had an unbelievable season so far, so we can’t let this small period affect us too much.”
Addressing the broader downturn in form, the striker remains resolutely calm.
“I’m not sure, really. I think previously, at the start of the season, there were periods where we weren’t playing too great, but we picked up and won some games, maybe when we probably shouldn’t have.
People don’t see that. They just see you winning. They just see the three points on the board or check the Sky Sports app, but they don’t actually see whether you’ve played well or things like that.”
“So, there are times where I felt like we could have won or done a little bit more. We’ve been scoring and maybe just switching off a little bit together. But like I said, it’s a blip, and we’ll definitely overcome it. We’ve got the right team, the right manager, and the support to overcome it. So, I’m not worried.”
The blueprint for returning to winning ways is a simple one.
“I think just hard work and listening to the boss, really. It’s as easy as that,” he asserts.
“It’s not always going to go your way, and it’s not always going to end up like this. So, yes, just keep working hard, listen to the game plan, and what the manager says, and I’m sure we’ll overcome it.”
European Dreams and Personal Growth
Villa’s ultimate destination remains crystal clear: returning to Europe’s elite table.
“Yes, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t the aim,” Watkins says of the Champions League race.
“From the start of the season, you always set your goals, and that was the big aim. We did it a couple of seasons ago and the feeling of that achievement was amazing.”
“Being in the competition last year, playing against the best teams and beating them, I think that’s what everyone is striving to do and experience again. So yes, that’s the goal and then one step further is to win the Europa League. That’s what we’ve got our eyes on.”
The allure of European silverware is a driving force in the dressing room.
“It would be unbelievable. You saw the atmosphere last season when Tottenham won it, and I was slightly envious watching that. It’s such a big competition that they’ve won and now they’re playing Champions League football.”
“It’s another way into it, like you said, by winning the competition. I think everyone wants to win a trophy at the end of the day. It’s a nice reward at the end of the season and I think it’s been a long time since the club has done that, so it would be nice to be part of it.”
On a personal level, Watkins exhibits the profound honesty of a seasoned professional when assessing his own campaign.
“It’s been a difficult season for me; I’m not going to lie. I’ve not been where I wanted to be, but these things happen. It’s always a learning curve.”
“You must look at it and see where you can improve and just keep trying to improve day by day and game by game. But yes, this season I haven’t been where I wanted to be.”
He credits his manager for guiding him through the turbulence.
“I think that’s the only way to improve. Like I said, hard work and listening to a manager like him. He’s got all the experience in the world and has worked with top players and world-class players. So, every bit of information I can take on is always helpful, and then I try to use that to improve my game.”
The burden of leading the line is now shared following the January arrival of Tammy Abraham.
“Tammy and I work together during the striker drills in training. I’ve played with Tammy before with England, so I knew him. He’s a familiar face, a good player and a good person. So, it was nice to see that familiar face come in. Hopefully we can play a lot more together.”
And with Rogers flourishing behind him, Watkins is eager to capitalise on the chemistry.
“Everyone knows Morgan is a top player. The way he’s progressed, he’s taken another step up and really thrived in the Premier League. Last season he had a good season, but this season he’s gone up another level and people have started to realise how good a player he is.”
“He’s powerful, quick, strong and can obviously score goals. I can’t speak highly enough of Morgs. We have a great relationship on the pitch. He’s always looking to find me. I probably should have got him a lot more assists this year, let’s put it that way. But he’s an amazing player.”
As the final whistle of the season beckons, Aston Villa’s destiny is entirely in their own hands, and the next chapter is written this Sunday in Manchester.
Remember, the best place to catch every thrilling second of this monumental clash—and every single Premier League fixture—is right where football lives, at Your World of Champions.
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