Aston Villa confident of finalising new contract for Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa are working hard to finalise Ollie Watkins' new contract, sources have confirmed to 90min.

Villa opened talks with Watkins at the beginning of this year, and around April they believed a deal was close to being finalised.

However, the extension has not yet been fully agreed and talks are continuing with Watkins' camp as Villa want the deal finalised before January.

Sources close to Villa insist they are not worried about the future of their star striker and are confident a deal will soon be agreed.

Watkins currently has less than two years left on the deal he originally signed when moved to Villa from Brentford in 2020.

Since joining Villa, Watkins has impressed hugely, hitting double figures of goals every season and becoming a full England international.

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In the last few months, Monchi has arrived at Villa Park as president of Football operations and he is pushing ahead to get this contract finalised, with head coach Unai Emery making it clear he wants Watkins to sign a new deal.

After Watkins scored the winner in their 1-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday, Emery was asked about the contract talks.

"I am concerned [aware] about it and I am working about it," he said.

Asked to clarify what he meant by 'concerned', Emery emphasised: "No, no, no. We are in touch. His commitment to the club is amazing. Watkins' commitment every day is very high. Every day he wants to improve. He wants to work and to help the team."

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