Ollie Watkins Shines as Al-Hilal's New Star

Ollie Watkins needed only nine minutes in Buraidah to announce himself as Al-Hilal’s new headline act.

The England striker, still fresh from his summer move from Aston Villa, lit up the Saudi Roshn League clash against Al-Taawoun with a performance that echoed his best Premier League nights.

Al-Hilal arrived for this seventh-round fixture with expectation heavy on their shoulders. Watkins shrugged it off instantly.

Ruben Neves launched a long, raking ball forward in the ninth minute. Watkins read it early, exploded into space, and was suddenly clear on goal. One touch to steady himself, one cool finish. Deadlock broken, Al-Hilal in front, and their new No 9 looking right at home.

The visitors never eased off. They piled on the goals, and by the time the second half opened up, Al-Taawoun were chasing shadows.

Second Half

Then the familiar pattern from England reappeared.

At 56 minutes, Watkins struck again – his side’s fifth of the night and his second. A powerful surge from midfield carved open the Al-Taawoun back line, and once more he was through on goal. The finish was simple, ruthless, exactly what Aston Villa fans had watched on repeat last season.

This was his first brace in Al-Hilal colours, but the routine felt anything but new. The 30-year-old scored five braces for Villa in the previous Premier League campaign, including back-to-back doubles against Liverpool and Manchester City in the final two rounds. Those performances helped cement his reputation as one of England’s most dangerous forwards.

Now he is exporting that habit to Saudi Arabia.

Watkins had already opened his account with a goal on debut in a 3-0 win over Al-Ahli, then endured two quieter outings against Al-Shabab and Neom. No panic, just a short pause.

In Buraidah, the pause ended. The goals returned. And with them, the sense that Al-Hilal’s new striker is ready to turn Saudi nights into his latest stage.