Ollie Watkins fires warning to Aston Villa rivals

Unai Emery’s team will see their schedule ramp up significantly from next month when they enter Europe’s elite club competition for the first time.

But Watkins believes Villa, who played 56 matches in all competitions while reaching the semi-finals of last season’s Europa Conference League, are well equipped to handle the fixture congestion.

“Last year, I don’t think our schedule could have gotten any harder,” he said. “Playing Thursday-Sunday is a lot of travelling and takes its toll on you.

“I think if we can do that and have a season like we did last year then that is as tough as it gets. We are prepared and ready for anything thrown at us.”

Villa will discover their Champions League opponents when the draw is made next Thursday.

Watkins said: “I’m really excited. So are all the boys in there. But when that comes, it comes.

“We just focus on the league, do the business there. And when the Champions League comes around, we will aim to do well there.”