Ollie Watkins tipped for last-gasp heroics ahead of Man City showdown

Douglas Luiz has identified Aston Villa's most important player in a massive week for the club – and it's not World Cup winner Emi Martinez.

As Villa approach Amen Corner in their unexpected title challenge, with back-to-back home games against Manchester City and Arsenal, their mercurial Brazilian midfielder hailed 14-goal top scorer Ollie Watkins ' invincible contribution.

If Villa take six points off last season's top two, the phoney war will be over and the rest of the country had better believe it: Unai Emery's side are genuine title contenders. And if Luiz isn't yet shouting the odds from the rooftops after Sunday's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, he is not whispering them from the cloakroom, saying: “I believe we can stay at the top of the league.”

Watkins' superb last-minute header to rescue a point at the Vitality underlined his value to Villa, and Luiz grinned: “He is so important for us. He's a good guy and he deserves this.

“We’re very happy for him, he’s deserved his moment and he saved us on Sunday. He’s more confident and I think now, at the moment, he is the best player in the squad.

“He scores goals, makes assists and everyone is so happy for him. I know Emi's saves are so important too, but Ollie is the only one who can score a goal in the last minute, or create one. That is my opinion.”

Luiz admitted it's a massive week for Villa, who will break a record going back to 1931 if they manage a 14th consecutive home league win against City on Wednesday night.

He said: “We are so excited for these two games. They are important for us, we are near the top of the table and need to focus this week and try to win both games. We are so confident at home and we believe we can win. We need to train hard because the week is so