Watkins targets Villa PL goals record

Ollie Watkins has spoken of his joy at reaching 50 top-flight goals for Aston Villa and has set his sights on the club’s Premier League scoring record and beyond.

Watkins reached the milestone against Newcastle United at the end of January, doing so in his 131^st league appearance in claret and blue.

He becomes only the third Villa player to register 50 goals in the Premier League.

And Watkins has revealed his pride at the achievement.

“Unbelievable,” the striker told VillaTV.

“I knew I’d play in the Premier League one day but if you’d have told me I would score 50 Premier League goals for a club like Aston Villa, and the amount of appearances I have, then I would have said ‘you’re lying’.

“So, I’m delighted to reach this milestone.

“It’s a very proud moment for me. But I’m not going to stop here, I’m going to get to 100 and push on from there.”

Only two Aston Villa players have more Premier League goals to their name than Watkins.

Dwight Yorke found the net 60 times while Gabby Agbonlahor tops the club’s scoring charts in the Premier League era with 74.

And Watkins, who is now on 51 following last weekend’s strike at Sheffield United, has his eyes on the record books.

“Yeah, definitely,” he added.

“When I signed my new contract, that was one of my main goals – to break that, to win something with the club, to push on and try to achieve something.

“I feel like I’m improving as a player under this manager and with this team.

“Obviously I’m getting older but I feel like my game is maturing, I’ve got a better understanding and I’m being more clinical.

“So, I’ve got a lot of targets I want to reach and Gabby’s record is one of them.”

Unai Emery’s side welcome Manchester United to Villa Park on Sunday as fourth hosts sixth in an eagerly-anticipated encounter.

The Villans have lost their last two on home soil having previously gone 17 matches unbeaten in the league in B6.

The two sides shared five goals at Old Trafford earlier in the season as United staged a second-half comeback to triumph 3-2.

And England international Watkins, who has 10 assists to his name this term as well as 11 league goals, is looking forward to this weekend’s clash.

“I feel that going there on Boxing Day, 2-0 up at half-time, we can’t lose that game,” he said.

“This is a game we need to win on Sunday.

“We need the fans bouncing. When Villa Park’s loud it’s one of the best places to play football and we need that.

“Obviously we’ve had a few dodgy results there (of late), conceding quite a few goals, and maybe not having the performances the fans expect from us or what they’ve seen in the early part of the season.

“If they’re loud and supporting us at all costs then it really does go a long way.

“I’m looking forward to the game.”

You can watch Ollie’s full interview with VillaTV below…