Full Name: Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Date of Birth: 30 December 1995
Place of Birth: Torquay, England
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s): Striker
Current Club: Aston Villa
Jersey Number: 11
Ollie Watkins has carved out an impressive career path, emerging as one of the most exciting talents in the English top flight. He is known for his goal-scoring ability and versatility as evident in the 2023-24 Premier League season, where he notched 19 goals, registered 13 assists, boasted a shooting accuracy of 44%, and earned the Castrol Playmaker of the Season award.
From his humble beginnings in Devon to breaking records at Aston Villa, it is evident Watkins persevered and is dedicated to his craft. In this piece, we have gone back in time to discover the key milestones and achievements that have defined his career so far.
Here are 13 Interesting Ollie Watkins Facts From Childhood In Devon to Premier League Stardom
1. He Joined Exeter City’s Academy at Age 11 After A Failed Trail Two Years Earlier
At age 11, Watkins joined Exeter City's academy after an unsuccessful trial with the club at age 9. He signed a scholarship deal with the club in 2012 and quickly made an impact as he progressed through the ranks. His talent became evident, and he went on to score an impressive 30 goals for Exeter City's U18 team in the 2013–14 season.
Recognising his potential, Exeter City offered Ollie Watkins a two-year professional contract in April 2014. He debuted in the final League Two match of the 2013–14 season and scored his first senior goal against Coventry City in a Football League Trophy match on 7 October 2014.
2. He was Born in Torquay, Devon and Childhood in Newton Abbot
Ollie took his first breath on December 30, 1995, at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, Devon. He spent his childhood in the nearby picturesque town of Newton Abbot. There, he attended South Dartmoor Community College in Ashburton, where his love for football began to take shape alongside his academic pursuits.
3. He Won the Football League Young Player and PFA Fans' Player of the Month Awards
In March 2016, Ollie Watkins won the Football League Young Player and PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards. Despite challenges, including a loan to Weston-super-Mare from December 2014 to the end of the 2014–15 season where he scored 10 goals in 25 appearances, Watkins joined Exeter City's first team in October 2015 and scored his first goal of the 2015-16 season in an FA Cup match against Port Vale.
4. His Goal was Voted Exeter's Goal of the 2015-16 Season
In a thrilling Devon derby against Plymouth Argyle, Ollie Watkins' late brace secured a 2–1 victory for Exeter City, with one goal voted the club's Goal of the Season. Throughout the 2015-16 season, he scored 10 goals in 22 appearances. Watkins continued to excel the following season, scoring 16 goals and providing 13 assists in 52 appearances, solidifying his status as a top player for The Grecians.
5. His First Career Hat-trick was Against Newport County
Ollie Watkins made history on 31 December 2016, netting his first career hat-trick in an unforgettable match against Newport County. This impressive milestone marked a significant phase in his burgeoning career. As he continued to hone his skills and make his mark in professional football, Watkins' talent became increasingly evident, setting the stage for further achievements.
6. He was the EFL Young Player of the Year in 2017
In January 2017, Ollie Watkins received recognition for his exceptional talent, winning the League Two Player of the Month award. This was just the beginning of his unique journey, as he went on to be honoured with the prestigious EFL Young Player of the Year award on 9 April 2017. These accolades solidified his status as one of the brightest young talents in English football, paving the way for a promising future in the sport.
7. His Excellent Displays at Exeter Led Him To Brentford
Watkins' impressive performances at Exeter City led to his move to Brentford on 18 July 2017 for a fee reported to be £1.8 million. He scored his debut goal on 8 August 2017 in an EFL Cup match against AFC Wimbledon and was rewarded with a new four-year contract in August 2019.
His standout moment came with a hat-trick against Barnsley on 29 September 2019, finishing the 2019–20 season with 26 goals in 50 appearances, which drew interest from clubs like Aston Villa.
8. Mourinho Wanted Watkins To Be An Understudy To Harry Kane At Spurs
When José Mourinho was Tottenham Hotspur's head coach, he saw immense potential in Ollie Watkins, envisioning him as the ideal understudy to Harry Kane. Impressed by Watkins' goal-scoring prowess, humility, and temperament, Mourinho met with him twice, with Watkins attending without an agent.
During these meetings, Watkins conveyed his willingness to take on the role of Kane's successor. At that time, Spurs had the opportunity to sign him for around £25 million. Additionally, it’s reported that they could have acquired him for as little as £750,000, a small amount compared to his later achievements. Despite Mourinho's clear interest, the move never materialised, leaving Tottenham to later regret missing out on Watkins, who went on to shine for Aston Villa and the England national team.
9. He Joined Aston Villa For A Record Fee in 2020
On September 9, 2020, Watkins joined Aston Villa for a then club-record fee of £28 million, potentially rising to £33 million. his high-profile transfer highlighted Villa's confidence in his abilities and their commitment to securing his talents. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in an EFL Cup match against Burton Albion on September 15, and debuting in the Premier League on September 21.
10. He is the First Aston Villa Player to Score in 5 Premier League Games On the Bounce
The Devon-born lad etched his name in Aston Villa's history books as the first player to score in five consecutive Premier League matches. This impressive streak began with his hat-trick in a 7–2 victory over Liverpool on October 4, 2020. Watkins finished the 2020–21 season as Aston Villa's top scorer with 14 goals. His exceptional form continued into February 2023, reaffirming his status as a key player for the club.
11. His First Aston Villa Hat-trick was in A UEFA Europa Conference League
Ollie Watkins marked his Aston Villa debut with a memorable hat-trick, scoring three goals against Hibernian in a UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round match on August 23, 2023. A month later, he secured his second hat-trick of the 2023–24 season against Brighton & Hove Albion on September 30, 2023. These stellar performances highlighted his European prowess and contributed to his new contract extension with Aston Villa on October 6, 2023, securing his commitment to the club until 2028.
12. He Became the Joint-top Scorer for Aston Villa in 2024
Ollie Watkins broke new ground on 14 April 2024, becoming the joint-top scorer for Aston Villa in a single Premier League season with 19 goals, equaling Christian Benteke’s record. His exceptional form won him the prestigious Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season awards on 14 May 2024, highlighting his significant contributions to Aston Villa's success under Unai Emery and his status as a fan favourite.
13. He is an Arsenal fan and Idolises Thierry Henry
The talented England star revealed his allegiance to Arsenal and admiration for Thierry Henry in a recent interview with YouTube personality Chunkz. Watkins expressed his passion for the club by declaring, "I'm a big Arsenal fan." He also praised Henry as the greatest player in Premier League history, highlighting Henry's exceptional versatility and skill set. This revelation provides insight into Watkins' footballing inspiration and the profound impact Henry's legacy has had on his career.
Bonus - His International Career Started in 2021
Watkins' England journey began with his debut on 25 March 2021, scoring against San Marino. Although he missed UEFA Euro 2020, he made a notable start against Ivory Coast on 29 March 2022. After an 18-month absence, Watkins returned in October 2023, scoring against Australia.
He was part of the Three Lions squad that competed in Euro 2024. At the tournament in Germany, he became only the second player, after David Platt in 1990, to score a major tournament goal for England while playing for Aston Villa. His decisive goal on July 10, 2024, in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands secured England's place in the final.
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