Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is turning to club legend Peter Withe for inspiration ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul. Watkins plans to study footage of Withe's iconic winner in the 1982 European Cup final—Villa's last European triumph—as he prepares for the biggest match of his career.

It's been 30 years since Villa last lifted a major trophy, the 1996 League Cup, and the club is hungry to end that drought. Watkins, who scored a brace in Villa's thrilling 4-2 win over Liverpool on Friday to secure Champions League football for next season, now has his sights set on silverware.

"I think Peter Withe is a legend," Watkins said. "I've met him quite a few times. He came into the training ground last week to watch. It's amazing that we can have a legend like him around the place."

The striker admitted that balancing Premier League and Europa League ambitions has been a challenge. "For the last couple of league games, it's been hard to focus because we've had such highs in the Europa League, getting further and further into the competition. It's been hard to focus on our Premier League form."

With Champions League qualification now secured, Watkins and his teammates can fully concentrate on ending Villa's long wait for European glory. "We've done what we set out to do. We've achieved Champions League football, and now we're going to do all we can to win on Wednesday," he said.

The stage is set at Besiktas Park, where Villa will look to channel the spirit of 1982 and write a new chapter in their storied history. For fans and players alike, this final represents more than just a trophy—it's a chance to reconnect with the club's glorious past while building a bright future.