Aston Villa face Chelsea in the Premier League tonight, with such a clash potentially having a huge bearing on their ability to secure Champions League football ahead of next season.
Unai Emery’s men dropped to fourth place at the weekend after Manchester United’s victory, which had no doubt increased the pressure on securing a place in the top-four.
In the clash at Villa Park tonight, his men will be coming up against a side who are occupying sixth place and sit just six points behind them in England’s top-flight.
Liam Rosenior’s men have only lost once in the division since taking the reins back in January, with a real battle potentially unfolding in the West Midlands this evening.
However, if the Spaniard is to inflict a second consecutive defeat on the Blues and bolster their hopes of a top-four finish, he will need one senior squad member on top form.
The stats behind Ollie Watkins’ recent struggles
Over the last couple of seasons, striker Ollie Watkins has often been Villa’s leading talisman, even registering 44 goals in the last two full campaigns.
However, the 30-year-old has found goals hard to come by in 2025/26, as seen by his measly tally of just eight goals in his 38 appearances across all competitions.
He’s now currently on a run of six games without a goal for Emery’s men, with the England international failing to find the back of the net since the 2-0 win over Newcastle United on January 25th.
During such a period, he’s only managed to register three shots on target, whilst also failing to notch any big chances in front of goal, with Watkins looking like a shadow of his former self.
The centre-forward has also registered fewer touches than goalkeeper Emi Martinez in every one of his starts in such a period – further reaffirming his lack of impact on proceedings.
The club’s run of three losses in the last six has no doubt come as a result of Watkins’ recent struggles in front of goal, with Emery desperately needing to find a solution.
The Aston Villa star who’d finally get Watkins firing
Over the last couple of weeks, manager Emery has constantly rotated his Villa squad in an attempt to find a consistent solution to their issues within the final third.
The wide areas have often seen the likes of Jadon Sancho, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey share the responsibility of providing the goods within the final third.
None of the aforementioned trio have managed to score in the last six matches, just Watkins, with only Sancho managing to get an assist for Morgan Rogers against Bournemouth.
It’s evident that none of the aforementioned trio have been consistent enough to warrant a starting role, which could see Emery hand a first start to one outside candidate.
Brazilian winger Alysson Edward arrived at Villa Park from homeland club Gremio for a reported £10.5m back in December, with the youngster only having limited opportunities to date.
The 19-year-old still remains an unknown quantity to many supporters, but he’s a player who’s deserving of a chance to thrive in the West Midlands before the end of the season.
He’s only made two substitute appearances to date, totalling just 20 minutes, with his latest outing coming in the 2-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux last Friday night.
Despite featuring for four minutes against Rob Edwards’ side, it didn’t stop Alysson from catching the eye – especially when running at the opposition with the ball at his feet.
The teenager managed to complete two successful dribbles during such a period – a tally higher than both Buendia and Sancho despite featuring for over an hour less than the duo.
Alysson Edward – stats against Wolves
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
4
Touches
13
Passes completed
4
Pass accuracy
80%
Chances created
1
Successful dribbles
2
Ground duels won
100%
Touches in 18-yard box
2
He also managed to complete 80% of the passes he attempted, whilst creating one chance in the process – which could benefit Watkins in the final third against Chelsea.
Alysson’s impressive cameo against Wolves was further reflected in his tally of 100% ground duels won, which highlights his ability to dominate without the ball when needed.
It certainly would be a huge call from Emery to hand him his start for the club, but given the form of the other attackers on the books, it could be a risk worth taking.
He’s previously shown he’s capable of producing the goods with limited minutes off the bench, with the Brazilian deserving of a chance to start from the off this evening.
If Alysson can hand Watkins the goods in front of goal, it would no doubt bolster the club’s chances of a top-four finish, whilst also handing the striker a chance to end his barren goalless drought.
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