Ollie Watkins’ Salary Revealed: How Much Does the Aston Villa Star Earn in the Premier League?
From Brentford to the big time: Watkins’ rise and reward at Villa Park
When Ollie Watkins made the switch from Brentford to Aston Villa in 2020 for a then-club record fee of £28 million, not everyone could have predicted just how crucial he’d become to the club’s Premier League ambitions. Fast-forward to today, and the 28-year-old striker is not just one of Villa’s most consistent performers, but also among its top earners following a significant contract extension in 2023.
With Watkins coming off a phenomenal 2023-24 season under Unai Emery — where he netted 19 league goals and racked up 13 assists — the England international has been rightly rewarded with a pay rise that reflects both his current value and potential future impact at the highest level.
But how much does Ollie Watkins earn exactly? Let’s take a closer look at the striker’s contract, weekly wages, and how he compares to others at Villa and across the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins’ weekly and annual salary at Aston Villa
Since signing his new five-year deal in 2023, Watkins is reportedly earning £130,000 per week, which amounts to £6.76 million per year. In US dollar terms, that’s about $172,500 weekly, and just under $9 million annually.
While that doesn’t place him among the very top of Premier League earners, it’s a significant bump from his earlier terms and a fair reflection of his growing stature — both within Villa’s dressing room and in the England national team setup.
Ollie Watkins – Current Salary Breakdown:
| Category | GBP | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Wage | £130,000 | $172,564 |
| Annual Salary | £6,760,000 | $8,973,331 |
Where Watkins stands among Aston Villa’s top earners
aston villa
Although Watkins is one of the club’s most important players, he’s not the highest earner at Villa Park. That honour currently goes to Marcus Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United and pockets a whopping £225,000 per week.
Following Rashford are Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, and Emiliano Martinez — each earning £150,000 per week. Dutch forward Donyell Malen, another recent signing, completes the top five on £140,000 per week.
Top 5 Earners at Aston Villa:
| Player | Weekly Wage (GBP) | Annual Salary (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | £225,000 | £11,700,000 |
| Boubacar Kamara | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
| Youri Tielemans | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
| Emiliano Martinez | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
| Donyell Malen | £140,000 | £7,280,000 |
| Ollie Watkins | £130,000 | £6,760,000 |
Despite being sixth on the Villa payroll, Watkins’ influence arguably surpasses that of some teammates earning more than him — especially when measured in goals, assists, and minutes played.
How does Watkins’ salary compare to the Premier League elite?
As it stands, Erling Haaland leads the Premier League’s financial charts with an eye-watering £525,000 weekly salary at Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah follow closely with £400,000 per week.
Watkins’ £130,000 weekly pay, while impressive, is still far behind the top tier — but that’s also a reflection of Villa’s more sustainable wage structure compared to the likes of City, Liverpool, or United.
Top 5 Highest Paid Premier League Players:
| Player | Club | Weekly Wage (GBP) | Annual Wage (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | £525,000 | £27,300,000 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | £400,000 | £20,800,000 |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | £400,000 | £20,800,000 |
| Casemiro | Manchester United | £350,000 | £18,200,000 |
| Virgil Van Dijk | Liverpool | £350,000 | £18,200,000 |
Watkins’ value beyond the numbers
Watkins’ financial rise is no fluke — it’s been built on consistent performances and relentless work ethic. His 2023-24 season wasn’t just about goals; it was about selfless pressing, leading from the front, and creating opportunities for others.
Unai Emery’s system suits Watkins’ all-action style. With Villa qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in decades, his importance to the squad is only likely to grow.
Furthermore, his contract extension until 2028 suggests Villa see him as a long-term cornerstone — not just a player with resale value, but a forward to build around.
The bigger financial picture in world football
It’s worth noting that while Premier League stars like Haaland and De Bruyne dominate England’s wage lists, the true financial heavyweights now reside in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly earns a mind-boggling £3.27 million per week at Al Nassr — or £170 million per year. Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, and Sadio Mane are all raking in similarly astronomical salaries after swapping European football for the Middle East.
Highest Paid Players in the World:
| Player | Club | Weekly Wage (GBP) | Annual Wage (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | £3,270,519 | £170,066,890 |
| Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad | £1,635,259 | £85,033,490 |
| Riyad Mahrez | Al Ahli | £853,605 | £44,387,482 |
| Sadio Mane | Al Nassr | £654,104 | £34,013,396 |
| Kalidou Koulibaly | Al Hilal | £567,435 | £29,506,621 |
Final thoughts: Watkins’ worth goes beyond his paycheque
In the modern game, salaries often grab headlines — but few players have justified their pay like Ollie Watkins has in the last two seasons. He may not be near the top of the Premier League’s earnings list, but his trajectory, influence, and consistency make him a priceless asset to Aston Villa.
With Champions League football on the horizon, Watkins is set for an even bigger stage — and perhaps, in time, an even bigger contract. For now, though, Villa fans can rest assured that their No.9 is delivering value for every penny paid.
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