Ollie Watkins has an uncertain future at Aston Villa after struggling for form and being linked with a move away in January. He’s featured regularly this season but appeared to be unhappy at the turn of the year while enduring multiple goal droughts, so Kevin Campbell wonders if this campaign will be his last.
The 26-year-old’s form in 2020/21 led to him representing England on five occasions, but he’s since fallen down the pecking order due to inconsistency at club level and wasn’t included in their last squad of 2021. Gareth Southgate omitted Watkins from his latest 25-man team too, so something has to change for Watkins to turn things around.
Campbell told Football Insider: “Rumour has it that (Watkins) could be leaving. (A big name signing) could push him to the next level that Gerrard wants. It could really help and enhance Watkins’ game. He’s a good striker.” The 26-year-old joined Villa on a five-year-deal from Brentford and has gone on to make 66 appearances in all competitions, scoring 23 goals with six assists.
Watkins has scored only seven goals in 25 Premier League games this season. He netted just once in his first seven appearances of the campaign and scored just once in a nine-game stretch between December 2021 and February 2022, so Steven Gerrard might want a more prolific striker this summer.
In other news, Kevin Campbell says Aston Villa signing Luis Suarez could be ‘smart’
