Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins joins exclusive Premier League club with Mohamed Salah after latest performance

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has joined Mohamed Salah in an exclusive club this year after yet another goal involvement.

The England international has been a key performer under Unai Emery as Villa look to launch an unlikely title bid.

A win over Burnley on Saturday would take them joint-top of the Premier League with Liverpool — and they can thank Watkins if they do.

In the first half, he registered two assists for Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby to put Aston Villa 2-1 up against Burnley.

It has made Watkins the second player in the entire of 2023 to register 20-plus goals and 10-plus assists.

The only other player to do so this year is Liverpool star Salah, who has had a fine 12 months himself.

Watkins has scored nine times in the Premier League this season as well as 10 assists, including his double today.

While last season, from January 1 onwards, the 28-year-old scored 12 times and made three assists.

It makes him one of the most in-form players in the Premier League over 2023, behind Salah.

In total, Watkins scored 15 times last season but truly hit form when Unai Emery arrived as manager.

The Spaniard has had a transformative effect on Villa since replacing Steven Gerrard in October.

In his time in charge, the ex-Villarreal boss has won 33 out of 55 games he has coached before Saturday.

And fans are starting to believe that a shock Premier League title bid might be on — or at the very least a spot in the Champions League.