{"id":246712,"first_name":"Oliver George Arthur","last_name":"Watkins","short_name":"O. Watkins","common_name":"Ollie Watkins","place_of_birth":"Paignton","gender":"male","height":180,"weight":70,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T10:22:51.117Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:28.890Z","locale":"en","age":29,"stb_id":"ollie-watkins","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Ollie Watkins","top_position":null,"introduction":"Oliver George Arthur Watkins, known as Ollie Watkins, is a highly regarded English professional footballer. As a forward for Aston Villa and the England national team, Watkins has earned a reputation as one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Celebrated for his adept finishing ability and relentless work ethic, Watkins has achieved remarkable accolades, including the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award for 2023–24 and recognition as the Championship Player of the Year in 2020.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nOliver George Arthur Watkins was born on December 30, 1995, in Torbay Hospital, Torquay, Devon, and grew up in Newton Abbot. He attended South Dartmoor Community College alongside future footballers Matt Jay and Jamie Reid. Raised by his mother, Delsi-May, a professional singer, Watkins is of Jamaican descent. From a young age, Watkins demonstrated a keen interest in football, beginning his playing career at six years old with Buckland Athletic's academy. Education played a formative role in his early development, fostering both athletic and personal growth.\n\n## Youth Career\nWatkins' youth career began at Buckland Athletic, quickly progressing to Newton Town F.C. for a season. He also represented the Devon County Football Association with Sam Gallagher. However, his significant breakthrough came when he joined Exeter City's academy at the Under-11 level, after initially being unsuccessful in a trial at the age of nine. Watkins' potential shone through, and by 2012, he had signed a scholarship deal with Exeter City. During his tenure in Exeter's youth ranks, Watkins achieved notable success, scoring 30 goals in the 2013–14 season, contributing significantly to the Under-18 team's triumph in the Football League Youth Alliance South West Conference.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Exeter City\nWatkins' senior career began at Exeter City, where he made his first-team debut on May 3, 2014, against Hartlepool United. Despite a modest start to his career, his loan to Weston-super-Mare in December 2014 proved instrumental, as he scored 10 goals in 25 appearances. His return to Exeter marked a turning point, with Watkins breaking into the first team during the 2015–16 season. He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances, earning the Football League Young Player of the Month award in March 2016. His performances peaked in the 2016–17 season with 16 goals and 13 assists, culminating in a loss at the League Two play-off final.\n\n### Brentford\nIn July 2017, Watkins' career trajectory ascended with his move to Brentford for a reported £1.8 million. At Brentford, Watkins quickly became an integral part of the team, especially in the 2019–20 season, where he scored 26 goals across 50 matches, achieving joint top-scorer status in the Championship. His pivotal role earned him the Championship Player of the Year award, despite Brentford's eventual play-off final defeat.\n\n### Aston Villa\nIn September 2020, Watkins joined Aston Villa on a five-year contract, commanding a then club-record fee of up to £33 million. His impact was immediate, scoring a perfect hat-trick against Liverpool, marking the club's historic 7–2 victory. Watkins closed the 2020–21 season as Villa’s top scorer with 14 league goals. His subsequent seasons continued to showcase his talent, including becoming the first Villa player to score in five consecutive Premier League matches in February 2023. In the 2023–24 season, Watkins was awarded the Premier League Playmaker of the Season and earned recognition as both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Senior National Team\nWatkins made his mark internationally by debuting for England in March 2021, scoring in a 5–0 victory against San Marino. Though initially omitted from England's UEFA Euro 2020 final squad, his international career flourished with a goal in a 3–0 win over the Ivory Coast in March 2022. In October 2023, Watkins returned to the national team after an 18-month hiatus, scoring the only goal in a friendly against Australia. At UEFA Euro 2024, Watkins played a crucial role, scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands, helping England reach the final.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nWatkins is celebrated as a 'complete forward', adept at playing various attacking roles including as a winger and centre-forward. His playing style, inspired by Thierry Henry, features dynamic runs, agility, and a keen eye for goal. His adaptability under different managers has further cultivated his tactical understanding, showcasing his ability to score and assist, evidencing his broad offensive skill set.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nOllie Watkins has displayed consistent scoring ability across all competitions. Notably, his 2019–20 season statistics with Brentford include 26 goals in 50 appearances and in the 2020–21 Premier League season, he netted 14 goals for Aston Villa, illustrating his impact as a vital attacking force.\n\n## Records\nSome of Watkins' significant records include scoring Aston Villa's first hat-trick against a reigning Premier League champion (Liverpool) and achieving the feat of scoring in five consecutive Premier League matches, underscoring his ability to perform at high levels consistently.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2024\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- EFL Young Player of the Year: 2017\n- Championship Player of the Year: 2019–20\n- Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 2023–24\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nWatkins has been recognized extensively for his footballing contributions, earning accolades such as the PFA Fans' Player of the Month (March 2016) and inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year for both the Championship in 2019–20 and the Premier League in 2023–24.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nOliver Watkins' career trajectory paints the picture of a dedicated footballer who rose through the ranks by capitalizing on every opportunity. His influence is marked by his transformative impact on teams like Brentford and Aston Villa, showcasing his evolution from a promising youth prospect to an established international forward.\n\n## Off the Field\nWatkins maintains a relatively low public profile beyond football, focusing on family life, with known support for Arsenal, reflecting personal passions and connections off the pitch. While specific commercial or charity activities are not detailed, Watkins' growing influence within football hints at potential engagement opportunities in these arenas.\n\n## Personal Life\nIn 2020, Watkins embraced fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, followed by a son in 2022. His personal life reflects his supportive family dynamics and his roots, contributing to his grounded persona both on and off the field.","stb_internal_id":"019300ff-97d4-729b-9432-cdcbbf2a859c","overrides":null,"type_code":"attacker","position_type_code":"attacker","detailed_position_type_code":"centre-forward","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":true,"introduction_html":"

Oliver George Arthur Watkins, known as Ollie Watkins, is a highly regarded English professional footballer. As a forward for Aston Villa and the England national team, Watkins has earned a reputation as one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Celebrated for his adept finishing ability and relentless work ethic, Watkins has achieved remarkable accolades, including the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award for 2023–24 and recognition as the Championship Player of the Year in 2020.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Oliver George Arthur Watkins was born on December 30, 1995, in Torbay Hospital, Torquay, Devon, and grew up in Newton Abbot. He attended South Dartmoor Community College alongside future footballers Matt Jay and Jamie Reid. Raised by his mother, Delsi-May, a professional singer, Watkins is of Jamaican descent. From a young age, Watkins demonstrated a keen interest in football, beginning his playing career at six years old with Buckland Athletic's academy. Education played a formative role in his early development, fostering both athletic and personal growth.

Youth Career

Watkins' youth career began at Buckland Athletic, quickly progressing to Newton Town F.C. for a season. He also represented the Devon County Football Association with Sam Gallagher. However, his significant breakthrough came when he joined Exeter City's academy at the Under-11 level, after initially being unsuccessful in a trial at the age of nine. Watkins' potential shone through, and by 2012, he had signed a scholarship deal with Exeter City. During his tenure in Exeter's youth ranks, Watkins achieved notable success, scoring 30 goals in the 2013–14 season, contributing significantly to the Under-18 team's triumph in the Football League Youth Alliance South West Conference.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Exeter City

Watkins' senior career began at Exeter City, where he made his first-team debut on May 3, 2014, against Hartlepool United. Despite a modest start to his career, his loan to Weston-super-Mare in December 2014 proved instrumental, as he scored 10 goals in 25 appearances. His return to Exeter marked a turning point, with Watkins breaking into the first team during the 2015–16 season. He scored 10 goals in 22 appearances, earning the Football League Young Player of the Month award in March 2016. His performances peaked in the 2016–17 season with 16 goals and 13 assists, culminating in a loss at the League Two play-off final.

Brentford

In July 2017, Watkins' career trajectory ascended with his move to Brentford for a reported £1.8 million. At Brentford, Watkins quickly became an integral part of the team, especially in the 2019–20 season, where he scored 26 goals across 50 matches, achieving joint top-scorer status in the Championship. His pivotal role earned him the Championship Player of the Year award, despite Brentford's eventual play-off final defeat.

Aston Villa

In September 2020, Watkins joined Aston Villa on a five-year contract, commanding a then club-record fee of up to £33 million. His impact was immediate, scoring a perfect hat-trick against Liverpool, marking the club's historic 7–2 victory. Watkins closed the 2020–21 season as Villa’s top scorer with 14 league goals. His subsequent seasons continued to showcase his talent, including becoming the first Villa player to score in five consecutive Premier League matches in February 2023. In the 2023–24 season, Watkins was awarded the Premier League Playmaker of the Season and earned recognition as both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Watkins made his mark internationally by debuting for England in March 2021, scoring in a 5–0 victory against San Marino. Though initially omitted from England's UEFA Euro 2020 final squad, his international career flourished with a goal in a 3–0 win over the Ivory Coast in March 2022. In October 2023, Watkins returned to the national team after an 18-month hiatus, scoring the only goal in a friendly against Australia. At UEFA Euro 2024, Watkins played a crucial role, scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands, helping England reach the final.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Watkins is celebrated as a 'complete forward', adept at playing various attacking roles including as a winger and centre-forward. His playing style, inspired by Thierry Henry, features dynamic runs, agility, and a keen eye for goal. His adaptability under different managers has further cultivated his tactical understanding, showcasing his ability to score and assist, evidencing his broad offensive skill set.

Performance Statistics

Ollie Watkins has displayed consistent scoring ability across all competitions. Notably, his 2019–20 season statistics with Brentford include 26 goals in 50 appearances and in the 2020–21 Premier League season, he netted 14 goals for Aston Villa, illustrating his impact as a vital attacking force.

Records

Some of Watkins' significant records include scoring Aston Villa's first hat-trick against a reigning Premier League champion (Liverpool) and achieving the feat of scoring in five consecutive Premier League matches, underscoring his ability to perform at high levels consistently.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2024

Individual Achievements

EFL Young Player of the Year: 2017
Championship Player of the Year: 2019–20
Premier League Playmaker of the Season: 2023–24

Awards and Recognition

Watkins has been recognized extensively for his footballing contributions, earning accolades such as the PFA Fans' Player of the Month (March 2016) and inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year for both the Championship in 2019–20 and the Premier League in 2023–24.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Oliver Watkins' career trajectory paints the picture of a dedicated footballer who rose through the ranks by capitalizing on every opportunity. His influence is marked by his transformative impact on teams like Brentford and Aston Villa, showcasing his evolution from a promising youth prospect to an established international forward.

Off the Field

Watkins maintains a relatively low public profile beyond football, focusing on family life, with known support for Arsenal, reflecting personal passions and connections off the pitch. While specific commercial or charity activities are not detailed, Watkins' growing influence within football hints at potential engagement opportunities in these arenas.

Personal Life

In 2020, Watkins embraced fatherhood with the birth of his daughter, followed by a son in 2022. His personal life reflects his supportive family dynamics and his roots, contributing to his grounded persona both on and off the field.

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Ollie Watkins: Profile