Former Exeter City star scores Premier League hat-trick
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who progressed through Exeter City's academy, bagged a first half hat-trick as he helped Villa topple Liverpool 7-2 in the Premier League.
Yes, you read that correctly. Aston Villa 7 Liverpool 2. And the man at the heart of the action was former Grecian Ollie Watkins. The 24-year-old became the first player in a decade to score a hat-trick against Jürgen Klop's side.
The versitile forward, who picked up the man of the match award, scored with his left foot, right foot and head. Villa remarkably fired 7 goals past the defending Premier League champions - Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish were the other names on the scoresheet.
Speaking after the emphatic victory, Watkins said: "I pinched myself a little bit, but I'm just delighted that I can contribute to the win.
"Before the game I didn't think I'd score three goals. After the first one, I got a bit of confidence and grew into the game. But I should have scored more in the end."
Watkins joined Villa for a club record fee of £30 million in September following a superb season with Brentford where he bagged 26 goals. But the Premier League star started life at Exeter City - where he made 68 appearances and scored 21 goals.
Watkins will always be remembered by City fans for his fine performances at St James Park, this sensational strike against bitter rivals Plymouth Argyle will live long in the memory:
Ollie Watkins vs Plymouth
— Exeter City (@ECFCStats) June 9, 2018
2nd April 2016
After a Luke McCormick howler it was 1-1 & virtully the last kick of the game. Ollie picks up the ball on the halfway line, beats 2 players & fires a rocket from his weakfoot, flying into the top corner to win the Devon Derby 2-1! #ECFC pic.twitter.com/2akCJwWv9a
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