Aston Villa are now set to make a move for an “amazing” striker, who has been identified as a priority target for the January transfer window.
Villa eyeing striker after Watkins' slow start
Ollie Watkins has been one of the driving forces behind Villa’s resurgence under the helm of Unai Emery, with the striker maintaining a fantastic goal and assist record across the past five Premier League seasons.
Season
PL appearances
Goal contributions
2020-21
37
19
2021-22
35
13
2022-23
37
21
2023-24
37
34
2024-25
38
24
However, it would be fair to say the striker has made a slow start to the new campaign, having failed to register a single goal contribution despite featuring for 90 minutes in each of the Villans’ opening three games.
Of course, it is still very early days, and the 29-year-old still has plenty of time to get back on track, but it now appears as though Emery wants to bring in another striker during the January transfer window.
Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, Aston Villa and NSWE are now set to make a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean Philippe-Mateta, with the Europa League side planning to maintain pressure on the Eagles throughout the January window.
With Villa aiming to secure qualification for the Champions League once again, they are keen to bring in more depth in attacking areas, and Mateta has been identified as a priority target, but there is set to be competition for his signature.
Leeds United and Newcastle United have also pinpointed the striker as a priority target, given the level of his performances last season, but any deal may be relatively expensive, given that Palace are set to hold out for a fee of around £40m.
"Amazing" Mateta would provide Emery with great depth
Given that Emery implements a 4-2-3-1 system, it is difficult to see how the 28-year-old would fit into the side, although Emery has been willing to drop Watkins in the past, with the England international hitting out after not starting against Paris Saint-Germain last season.
The striker said: “I was fuming I wasn’t playing. I let him (Emery) know that. He’s the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I’m not one of the players happy to sit on the bench.
“It’s something I haven’t experienced before, missing out on the biggest stage. You always want to play, especially in the Champions League.
Given that Mateta is the main man at Palace, scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season, he is also unlikely to be willing to sit on the bench, but the signing of the Frenchman would provide Emery with great depth in attack. He has also loved playing against Villa in the past, scoring six goals in 10 appearances.
Lauded as “amazing in the box” by manager Oliver Glasner, Mateta is a proven Premier League striker in the prime of his career, but Emery would be a real selection dilemma in attack if Villa were to win the race for his signature.
