Rio Ferdinand’s recent praise of Ollie Watkins has added fresh momentum to the growing conversation around Aston Villa’s Premier League title push and the striker’s rising status in modern football.
Speaking on his podcast in a video posted by Rio Ferdinand Presents via their official X account, the former Manchester United defender delivered a glowing assessment of the Villa forward, describing him as a player he would personally pay to watch, a statement that carries weight given Ferdinand’s experience at the highest level of the game.
Watch the video below:
Softfootball understands that Aston Villa’s impressive 2025–26 campaign has been driven largely by Watkins’ consistency in front of goal. helping his team in the club’s recent 2-1 victory against Arsenal, followed by a 3-2 win against West Ham in the Premier League.
Over the last few seasons, Villa have increasingly looked to Watkins in decisive moments, and his influence has continued to grow as the pressure has increased.
Ferdinand highlighted this evolution by focusing on Watkins’ mentality as much as his ability. He explained why the striker now belongs in conversations about elite players in the modern game.
He said:
He’s a player in modern football now today, I’d pay to watch. If he ups those numbers and stats, I think you’re dealing with a player that can compete on a world level because I think he’s just, he’s got so many factors to his game that you go, that’s hard to play against.
He went on to note how Villa has relied heavily on Watkins in the last two or three years, pointing to a moment in a player’s career where confidence shifts and responsibility is fully embraced.
According to Ferdinand, Watkins appears to be entering that phase. He described the striker’s growing authority on the pitch as a shoulders-back moment, where a player demands the ball and sets the tone for the team.
Ferdinand added:
having that bit of a shoulders back moment, listen, I’m that guy, man. Why do you keep playing it there? And I think he seems to be morphing into that mode now, and he’s going to be causing Thomas Tuchel issues in the summer, I think, if he continues this form. Mentality is one of the biggest factors that separates the top, top, top players from the good players.
Ferdinand’s praise seems to go beyond admiration. By emphasising Watkins’ mentality and importance to Aston Villa, he is advocating for wider recognition of a player performing at a high level outside the league’s traditional powerhouses.
Ferdinand also suggested that Watkins could cause Thomas Tuchel issues in picking his squad for the World Cup next year, with the high level of talent on the England national team. Watkins cannot be left behind if his form continues.
As Aston Villa continue their push for their first league title since 1981, Watkins remains at the centre of the narrative. Rio Ferdinand’s endorsement reinforces the idea that the England international is not just enjoying a good run of form but is developing into a player capable of competing at the very highest level.
