Profile
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s first choice forward and remains one of the most important picks in the mid priced striker bracket. Listed at £8.8m, after starting the season at £9.0m and falling £0.2m, he sits in an interesting spot for managers weighing reliable minutes against explosive upside. Watkins has played 2563 minutes, which underlines his role as a nailed starter when available, and his status is currently a, so there is no injury flag attached.
Tactically, Watkins offers more than just penalty box finishing. He leads the line, stretches defences and is heavily involved in Villa’s transitions, which keeps his floor respectable even when the fixtures are mixed. Recent community sentiment has stayed positive. The official FPL Pod has highlighted Watkins as pushing for inclusion, and LetsTalkFPL has also discussed him as a forward option for Double Gameweek 36. That matters because he is not just a stats pick, he is still very much in the active conversation among engaged managers.
This-season output
From an FPL perspective, Watkins has delivered 130 points at 3.8 points per game. His recent level is a little better, with a 5.2 form rating over the last five matches, suggesting his output has ticked up compared with his overall season average.
The core returns are solid rather than elite. Watkins has produced 11 goals and 3 assists, which gives him 14 attacking returns across the campaign. He has also collected 17 bonus points, supported by a healthy 465 BPS. That bonus profile is useful, because it shows he can convert single returns into stronger FPL scores when Villa perform well. His ICT Index of 178.8 is another sign that he remains involved enough to stay relevant, even if he has not quite matched the output of the premium forwards.
There are also 9 clean sheets on his record, which adds a small but welcome layer of value in the forward slot. Overall, the season data paints a picture of a dependable starter with decent all round contribution, but not necessarily a player carrying your rank on his own.
Ownership and price journey
Watkins is currently selected by 14.7% of managers, so he is popular enough to matter but not so highly owned that going without is impossible. That ownership level makes him a classic swing pick. If he hits, non owners feel it. If he blanks, sellers can move on without major damage.
The transfer trend this gameweek is notable. He has seen 52,846 transfers in but also 154,516 transfers out, a net negative week that suggests many managers are unconvinced by the run in or are restructuring up front. That can create an opportunity. When a proven forward is being sold heavily despite decent projections, he can become a useful leverage option for those trying to make up ground.
Upcoming outlook
The immediate fixture list is mixed but playable. In GW36, Aston Villa travel away to BUR, where Watkins has a projected 4.93 xP. That is clearly his standout fixture of the final three and the one that keeps him in transfer plans. In GW37, Villa host LIV for an expected 4.23 xP, then in GW38 they travel to MCI with a lower projection of 3.41 xP.
For captaincy, the answer is fairly straightforward. Watkins is viable as a differential armband in GW36, especially for managers chasing rank, but he is not a standout captaincy leader if the premium assets have strong doubles or home fixtures. The Burnley match gives him enough upside to enter the conversation, yet the Liverpool and Manchester City fixtures make him harder to trust beyond that as a week winning captain. He looks more like a strong starter than a set and forget armband option.
Verdict
Watch to own. Watkins is a credible buy for managers targeting GW36, mainly because of the 4.93 xP away to Burnley, his 5.2 recent form, and his secure minutes. The season total of 130 points and the combination of 11 goals, 3 assists and 17 bonus show enough substance to justify investment at £8.8m.
That said, this is not an all in recommendation. The final two fixtures, against Liverpool and Manchester City, reduce his ceiling over the run in. If you are buying, do it with a short term plan and with realistic captaincy expectations. If you already own him, holding through Burnley makes sense. If you do not, he is a smart tactical pickup rather than an essential must have.