Ollie Watkins opens up on Jhon Duran competition at Aston Villa

The England international acknowledges he has never been pushed so hard by a team-mate during his time at the club, with Duran currently topping the scoring charts with 12 goals in all competitions.

Watkins leads the way in the Premier League after taking his tally to nine for the season in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Everton.

But the 29-year-old last month found himself out of the starting XI for the first time in Unai Emery’s reign due to Duran’s excellent form and pointed to the pair being rarely paired together in matches as a key difference to his previous battle with Danny Ings, who was sold to West Ham two years ago.  

Watkins said: “I have had competition with Ingsy before but not to the point like this. 

“Me and Ingsy used to play up front together. With Jhon I have not played too much with him. 

“Look, Jhon has been top this season. Whenever he has come on he has taken his chance and he has helped us out so many times. It is nice to have that competition and have that quality in the squad.”

Wednesday’s goal was Watkins’ first from open play since November and a timely reminder of his quality on a night Emery kept him in the line-up, despite Duran being available again following a three-match suspension.

The Colombia international was an unused substitute at Goodison Park but is certain to be involved in some capacity when Villa visit Arsenal on Saturday and then head to Monaco next Tuesday in the Champions League.

Emery’s men sit just two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea in the league and Watkins was encouraged by the manner they ground out Wednesday’s win, having let several opportunities slip earlier in the season.

“Ipswich, Bournemouth at home, Palace, Brighton. There have been quite a few times I feel we should have come away with three points,” he said. 

“If we had just seen those games out we would be much higher in the league and things would be similar to last season. 

“But that is not always the way. It is something to build on. 

“We have done the hard part. Goodison is one of the toughest grounds to go to. If we can do it there, we can do it anywhere.

“You see how tight the league is. A lot of teams have improved, like Forest, Bournemouth. You would not think they would be up there. 

“Teams who were at the bottom of the league last season are flourishing. It is difficult. Everyone is improving. 

“Everyone is playing a good style of football, so it’s difficult. We just need to focus on ourselves, keep picking up points, picking up the wins and see where we are at the end of the season.”

New signing Donyell Malen is expected to be available at the Emirates after completing his move from Borussia Dortmund.