Watkins: I've got lots more to achieve here

Ollie Watkins is excited to see what the future holds for Aston Villa after signing a new long-term contract with the club.

The 27-year-old put pen-to-paper on a new deal on Friday, extending his stay at Villa Park.

And Watkins revealed he is looking forward to spending the forseeable future in claret and blue.

“I’m really happy,” he said.

“I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football; I’ve still got a lot to achieve here.”

Watkins added: “I feel like I’ve had a really good connection with the fans since I’ve come here. From day one they’ve been really good with me; we’ve had highs and lows but that’s football.

“You can see the direction of the club, and I want to be a part of that.”

The striker says his game has been taken to a new level by Unai Emery, labelling the head coach a “massive” part of his decision to stay.

Watkins has netted 21 times in 38 appearances under the Spaniard and believes they can achieve great things together.

He said: “We’re only getting started. The boss has been here for a year and you’ve seen the form and progression of players.

“There are other levels we can get to. Hopefully we can push on and get to the Champions League spots – that’s the aim.”

News of a new contract for Villa’s talisman follows hot on the heels of his return to the England squad this week.

“It’s definitely been a memorable week for me and one that I’ll never forget,” he said.

“I’m very grateful that I have a lot of good people around me and a lot of good people at the club.

“I’m so happy and glad that a lot of people here have been on the journey with me. It’s a great day and it’s been a great week.”

Watkins’ hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend saw him reach 50 goals for the club.

Forty four of those strikes have come in the Premier League, and he has his sights set on beating Gabby Agbonlahor’s club record (74) in the top flight as one of his aims for the future.

“From day one, since I’ve come in, I feel like I’ve done well,” he said.

“I’ve had some highs and some lows like any player at any club. I feel like I’m on a high now and it’s only going to keep going up.

“I’ve got some targets I’m going to hit: I’m going to break Gabby’s record with the goals, I want to win a trophy. I feel like I can do that here and that’s why I’ve stayed.

“Hopefully I can repay the fans by achieving them and bring silverware home and score more goals.”