Ollie Watkins in Jhon Duran rivalry admission as he makes Aston Villa contract joke
Ollie Watkins says he is enjoying the competition Jhon Duran is providing him this season, with the Aston Villa strikers scoring a combined 16 goals in the Premier League so far.
Watkins bagged his ninth of the campaign on Wednesday night to hand Villa their first away league win since October by beating Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park. It was the first game which Duran could feature in after serving a three-match ban for violent conduct, but the Colombia international was an unused substitute.
Duran has found the net 12 times in all competitions despite only starting seven times and continues to be admired by club across Europe. After Villa's win on Merseyside, Watkins was asked about competition for places and the difference from when he was competing with Danny Ings under Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.
READ MORE: David Moyes judges Aston Villa '£100m a year' transfer spend as he makes Everton admission
READ MORE: Aston Villa braced for Celtic approach as transfer dilemma emerges
READ | David Moyes judges Aston Villa '£100m a year' transfer spend as he makes Everton admission
READ | What Amadou Onana refused to do after Aston Villa win as Emi Martinez breaks another record
"I have had competition with Ingsy before but not to the point like this," he admitted. "Me and Ingsy used to play up front together. With Jhon I haven't 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."
Before Villa's trip to Everton, Emery was asked whether the club would be able to keep both Watkins and Duran together for the long-term.
"Hopefully, we can be together with Ollie and Jhon here for the next 10 years - or maybe 12 - or 15," Emery said. "It will be fantastic! Now, players are extending their careers, and maybe Ollie, with his physical capacity, can play until he is 40 years old.
"Pepe Reina, he was at Aston Villa, yes? He’s 42 and playing in Italy. I’m happy with both strikers, and it’s a privilege for me to train them. Every Aston Villa supporter should be proud of how we can have strikers like Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
"One is the reality, and performing always very good, and progressively getting better - that’s Ollie. And the other is Jhon who is 21 and we can exploit his potential here. Of course, I don’t know if we are going to keep them here for a long time but hopefully we will."
In response to Emery's comments, Watkins said: "As long as I am feeling good and no injuries, I feel like I can play for a long while," Watkins said. "I look after my body and do all the right things. Hopefully he can give me a 10-year contract!"
