Journalist Josh Holland has dropped a behind-the-scenes claim regarding Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Holland had this to say about Watkins and his current situation at the Midlands club following previous reports that Villa were willing to sell the striker over the summer.
He said: “I still think Watkins is [Steven] Gerrard’s number one and I think his age is a massive factor in that. Watkins has got his eye on the World Cup squad while Danny Ings hasn’t. I think the way that Watkins plays is better suited to Gerrard’s system – playing on the shoulder of the last man, running in between the lines. I think Ings can do that but he’s not got the pace, strength and the power that he had at Southampton and when they first signed him.”
Villa signed the centre-forward during the 2020 summer transfer window from Brentford in a deal worth a reported fee of £28m.
Since then, the Englishman has made 83 appearances for the Villans across all competitions, scoring 28 goals and providing nine assists in the process.
This season has seen Gerrard start Watkins in Villa’s five previous league games, as well as seeing him complete the full 90 minutes in those five matches, which shows how important he is to the manager and backs up Holland’s point about him being the first-choice striker at Villa Park.
His overall performances have earned the 26-year-old, who has been lauded as an “outstanding” player in the past by former Villa boss Dean Smith, a season rating of 6.57/10, making him the third-highest rated outfield player at the club according to WhoScored.
Shortly after being appointed as Villa manager, Gerrard had this to say about the former Bees star back in December.
He said: “I don’t think there is a limit for Ollie. He’s got the lot – pace, power, aggression. He has really stepped forward in the two weeks I have been here, and he will grow. He will enjoy the style we play so there isn’t a ceiling for him.”
Taking all of this into account, including Holland’s comments, it’s safe to suggest that Watkins doesn’t seem likely to be leaving Villa anytime soon despite the reports over the summer claiming otherwise, which will be a massive boost for everyone connected to the club.
