Aston Villa have seen a £60m bid accepted to sign Watkins’ replacement

The excitement is palpable at Aston Villa. This is the big week, where 30 years of searching for silverware can be turned on its head.

After all, the Europa League final is Unai Emery’s favorite big stage, having won the continental second-tier competition a record-breaking four times (3x Sevilla, 1x Villarreal).

After a poor start to the season, with the Villans failing to score in their first four Premier League games of the season and failing to win any of their first five, it looked like Emery’s project was stalling, but the manager is nothing if not persistent, and now this could end up being the outfit’s biggest campaign in years.

It was a memorable day. Liverpool put to the sword, Ollie Watkins twice, that beautiful Champions League song sang throughout Villa Park, and now, NSWE knows it has the financial muscle and the sporting project to bring in exciting players in the transfer window.

Aston Villa’s study bid will be accepted for the Premier League striker

Watkins looked to have lost his way at Aston Villa this season, but he hit a highlight reel at the business end of the season to underline his enduring fitness.

I have never been injured, I always score goals. But nothing lasts forever, with the 30-year-old expected to play Champions League football at Villa Park next term, entering the final year of his contract, and the rumors are already swirling.

According to The i Paper, Aston Villa have learned that a £60m bid could be enough to convince Newcastle United to part with William Osula this summer, due to the Magpies’ financial concerns.

Osula, 22, has emerged as Newcastle’s top striker in the past few months, but Everton are also hot on his trail, and with the Toffees desperately in need of a No.9 this summer, Emery will need to act quickly.

Why Osula could be Aston Villa’s next Watkins

The Villans only signed Tammy Abraham in January, but this could be a rare opportunity to sign a replacement for Watkins in the future to learn from the experienced England international over the next year or two.

Osula was absent from the races last season. After joining Newcastle from Sheffield United for £15m in 2024, the Danish U21 striker scored once in 14 Premier League games, starting one.

This year, he came in leaps and bounds, levels above that old level. In his last eight Premier League games, Osula has scored six goals, only six of those games to start.

The development in front of goal confirms what Howe knew all along: Osula is “the complete package”, and it was a relief that his almost transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt last summer did not happen. Praised for his “bullying” physical presence by Como scout Ben Mattinson, he has all the makings of a superstar.

Now, however, Newcastle are in a different situation, unable to find the form to get them back to Europe. The ramifications will be felt on Tyneside, and Aston Villa will be there to take advantage.

Watkins is far from finished. The England star spoke after his impressive performance against Liverpool to use the opposition as motivation, as he is gunning for one of Europe’s most impressive teams.

Emery will need his talisman next year, but Osula could be a great foil. He is growing, and with a conversion rate of 30% in the top flight this season, he is one of the most accurate strikers.

Osula’s data pool may not be deep, but it suggests world-class power. No Premier League player who has scored nine or more goals this season can match that percentage, Watkins’ conversion rate stands at 18%. He has scored 14 goals, but he has also missed 19 big chances.

Aston Villa have come a long way under Emery’s management, and even if they can get their hands on the Europa League trophy, there will be a hunger and determination to hit even higher levels in the coming years.

Osula can do just that, stepping into Watkins’ boots.