Ollie Watkins insisted that playing Champions League football ‘was beyond his wildest dreams’ as he unveiled Aston Villa’s secret weapon.
The England international will lead the line for Villa against Bayern Munich tonight in a mouth-watering re-run of the 1982 European Cup final.
Watkins said he was amazed at how Villa’s fortunes have risen since boss Unai Emery took charge almost two years ago. However, asked if he truly believed he would be stepping out at Villa Park with the competition’s famous tune ringing in his ears, Villa’s striker said: “No, not for one minute.”
And he says the credit for that must go to Emery for how he has rag-dolled the Birmingham club and led it from Premier League relegation candidates to Champions League hopefuls.
Watkins said: “When the manager first came in after we had lost to Newcastle and we were towards the bottom of the league, never did I think we would finish that season finishing seventh. And then go on to finish four last season.
“I don’t think anyone would have. He has turned us around as players and the club - full credit to him. I never dreamed of that, to be honest.
“It won’t be a ‘pinch me,’ moment against Bayern Munich - but when you look at how quickly everything has turned around it is - since he set foot over the threshold, it’s been so positive.
“We’ve won more than we have lost, we’re only getting better. The club’s a lovely place to be at the club. Not just as a player but also for the fans and people outside the club to see the club's stature improving day-by-day - and how quickly, too.”
While Emery’s players boast considerable international experience, few have experienced the unique challenge provided by the Champions League.
It’s a different story in the dugout, however. The manager has 187 European matches to his credit. Which is 186 more than his opposite number, Vincent Kompany. There can be no question this is highly regarded in the home dressing room.
“We do have players in our squad who have played in the competition at different clubs,” he said. “We do have that experience. And it’s something we prepared for last year when we were playing in Europe.
“Of course, it’s different playing in the Premier League and then in Europe. It was new for us last year. We’re ready. We’ve done that.
“We’ve got the manager we trust who has been there, experienced it all. We’re in the best hands possible. He’s experienced and won a lot of trophies and managed in a lot of Champions League games.
“We have faith in him and the squad and confidence that when we play our best we can put anyone to the test.”
Asked if there was a chance Watkins and his colleagues could be overawed by the occasion, he said: “I think we’re going to go out there and enjoy it. I don’t think we’re going to crumble.
“I’m not going to say: ‘Make the most of it,’ because that sounds like we are underestimating ourselves - but it’s been so long since the club has been involved in a competition like this.
“Last year was the first time in Europe for a while. I know what the atmosphere was like last year and I’m expecting it to be topped a little bit.”