FILE this under classic Dream Team.
Ahead of Gameweek 4, Ollie Watkins (£5.6m) was among the most transferred-out players in the game.
In fact, Alexander Isak (£5.1m) was the only available asset (not injured or suspended) who was ditched from more teams prior to the deadline.
But whereas Newcastle’s star forward mustered just one point at the weekend, Aston Villa’s No11 punished gaffers who lost patience in him with a decisive brace against Everton on Saturday.
Watkins has quickly made up for his slow start[/caption]
Watkins inspired the Villains to a comeback victory over hapless Everton and banked 18 points in the process.
At the time of writing, he’s the joint-top performer in Gameweek 4 alongside the imperious Erling Haaland (£9.1m), who scored a brace of his own against Brentford.
Villa’s main man failed to score in three outings before the international break and was substituted just after the hour-mark each time.
An assist against Leicester in Gameweek 3 hinted at an upturn but Watkins’ removal from the England squad prompted many Dream Team bosses to seek a replacement.
However, with two goals under his belt and another fixture to come this Gameweek in the form of a Champions League away day to Young Boys, it’s inevitable he will be among the most-recruited players ahead of Gameweek 5.
Watkins currently features in 15.5% of teams[/caption]
At the end of August we published an article detailing the conundrum facing Watkins owners after his slow start to the campaign.
At the time, we highlighted the favourable nature of Villa’s fixtures until the start of October, not to mention the fact they are one of just six teams set to fulfil three consecutive double Gameweeks.
The first of those double Gameweeks has got off to a roaring start and gaffers who remained patient will be congratulating themselves after Watkins’ mega haul at the Toffees’ expense.
Unai Emery’s side will face Wolves and Wycombe in Gameweek 5 before taking on Ipswich and Bayern Munich in Gameweek 6.
Last season proved that an in-form Watkins can rack up huge numbers when he’s got additional midweek fixtures to supplement his schedule.
Villa get their Champions League campaign underway this week[/caption]
The 28-year-old’s 18-point return was well-timed for another reason.
Jhon Duran (£2.9m) couldn’t be doing more to push for a place in the starting line-up.
The Colombia international has scored three goals from just 103 minutes playing time in 2024/25, with his latest strike (the winner against Everton) being a Goal of the Season contender.
In fact, since the start of the last season he averages a goal every 70.6 minutes in the top flight.
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Duran has developed into an incredibly effective super sub but questions are now being asked about whether he deserves a more prominent role.
Watkins’ brace will have solidified his spot as starting striker but it will be interesting to see if Emery is more inclined to pair him with Duran going forward or if the duo will rotate.
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