Ollie Watkins' Aston Villa form analysed: Attacking runs challenging the back line and the importance of being in the box

"I think I go under the radar." That was Ollie Watkins' own view following his England recall last month. After a week in which he scored Aston Villa's winner in Europe before adding to his Premier League total, that under-the-radar tag is surely untenable.

Only two players have been directly involved in more Premier League goals than Watkins in 2023 and their names are Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. At 27, this is a man in the form of his life, his game now transformed under Unai Emery at Villa Park.

He has been a pillar of the Villa team that is now fifth in the table, just three points off top spot, having won every home game. Watkins is so pivotal that he has not even been substituted in the Premier League since September despite his European exertions.

He has either scored or assisted in the majority of those Premier League appearances. Indeed, he is the only player to have at least five of each. As many goals as Nico Jackson and Alexander Isak, as many assists as James Ward-Prowse and James Maddison.

What is fascinating about Watkins' evolution is that, at a time when other strikers are being reimagined as wide forwards, finding their space in the channels, he has emerged as a true striker, working hard to stay in those central areas for the benefit of the team.

He is having more touches in the opposition box this season. Crucially, he is having more of his touches in the opposition box too. "Before I was running into the channels and into the corners," he said earlier this year. "Now I am staying within the width of the box."

The graphics depicting his heatmaps under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Emery reveal how fundamental this shift has been. It has been a challenge for Watkins because becoming more of a