### Is Ollie Watkins Better Than Erling Haaland? Emile Heskey Makes the Case for Aston Villa’s Star Striker
The question of whether Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins can be considered better than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland might seem far-fetched at first glance. After all, Haaland has been a goal-scoring machine since his arrival in the Premier League, winning the Golden Boot for two consecutive seasons. However, former England striker Emile Heskey has made a compelling argument for why Watkins may actually offer more to his team than Haaland does for Manchester City.
While Haaland’s raw goal numbers are undeniably impressive, Heskey points out that football is about more than just putting the ball in the back of the net. Watkins, who scored a career-high 19 Premier League goals last season, brings a more all-around game to the table—one that might make him just as valuable, if not more so, than Haaland in some respects.
### Ollie Watkins’ Remarkable Rise
Ollie Watkins has been nothing short of sensational for Aston Villa in recent seasons. His 19 goals in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign played a pivotal role in helping Aston Villa secure a spot in the Champions League, a remarkable achievement for the club. The 28-year-old striker has also solidified his place in the England national team setup, proving himself as one of the most reliable forwards in the country.
Watkins’ game is characterized not only by his goal-scoring ability but also by his tireless work rate, link-up play, and versatility. As Heskey points out, Watkins is constantly involved in Aston Villa’s build-up play, offering a dynamic presence that extends beyond just finishing chances. His movement off the ball, ability to hold up play, and work ethic make him a more complete forward, which is one of the reasons Heskey believes he could be on par with Haaland—or even better.
### Haaland: A Goal-Scoring Phenomenon
On the other side of the argument, Erling Haaland’s statistics speak for themselves. The Norwegian striker has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Manchester City. In the 2022-23 season, Haaland netted 27 goals in just 31 appearances, winning the Premier League Golden Boot for the second time in a row. His ability to find the back of the net with such consistency has been one of the key reasons why Manchester City secured their fourth consecutive league title.
However, as Heskey points out, Haaland’s role at Manchester City is somewhat more specialized. Playing in a team packed with creative talent, Haaland doesn’t need to be as involved in the build-up play or work as hard off the ball as Watkins does at Aston Villa. City’s dominant style of play allows Haaland to focus primarily on finishing chances, whereas Watkins is tasked with doing much more for his team.
“I think they’ve got the best striker in the league after Erling Haaland in Ollie Watkins,” Heskey said when speaking to *10bet*. “There’s an argument to be made that Watkins could be on par or even better than Haaland at this moment in time because of his all-round game and what he gives Aston Villa on top of the goals that he scores. At Man City, Haaland doesn’t really need to get that involved with the play, whereas Watkins has to be involved all the time at Villa.”
### Aston Villa’s Stellar Recruitment
Watkins isn’t the only player contributing to Aston Villa’s resurgence. Heskey also praised the club’s recruitment strategy, particularly highlighting the impact of recent signing Morgan Rogers. Rogers, a product of Manchester City’s academy, was signed by Aston Villa for £8 million, with the fee potentially rising to £15 million through add-ons. Despite the modest transfer fee, Rogers has quickly become a key player for Unai Emery’s side.
“The kid’s obviously got good pedigree as he started his career in Manchester City’s academy, but he’s been given a chance in this Villa team and has really grabbed it,” Heskey said. Villa’s smart recruitment, led by sporting director Monchi, has given them a competitive edge, allowing them to challenge for European football while also building for the future.
### Haaland’s Future and Villa’s Ambitions
In other news, rumors continue to swirl about Haaland’s long-term future at Manchester City. Spanish outlet *Sport* has reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is keen to bring Haaland to the Nou Camp in 2025 or 2026. However, sources close to Manchester City have indicated that the club has no intention of selling their star striker anytime soon. If Haaland were to leave, a move to Real Madrid might be more likely, particularly in the wake of Manchester City’s ongoing financial fair play investigations.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa is reportedly gearing up for a major move in the upcoming January transfer window. According to *Football Insider*, Villa is preparing a bid for RB Leipzig center-back Castello Lukeba, who is valued at around £60 million. If completed, this deal would make Lukeba Aston Villa’s most expensive signing ever, signaling the club’s ambition to establish itself as a permanent fixture in the top four.
### Watkins and Haaland in the 2024 Scoring Charts
As of 2024, Erling Haaland leads the Premier League scoring charts with 23 goals, once again demonstrating his unmatched ability to score at will. Watkins, meanwhile, sits sixth with 14 goals, a testament to his consistency and importance to Aston Villa’s attack. While Haaland continues to dominate the headlines with his goal-scoring feats, Watkins’ all-around game and contribution to his team should not be overlooked.
In the end, the debate over whether Ollie Watkins is better than Erling Haaland may come down to personal preference. Haaland is undoubtedly one of the most lethal finishers in world football, but Watkins’ versatility and work rate make him a crucial asset for Aston Villa. Whether you value pure goal-scoring ability or a more complete forward, both players are undeniably among the best in the Premier League today.