Jamie O’Hara says he ‘wishes’ Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane would’ ‘stay in the width of the penalty area’ like Aston Villa’s thriving striker, Ollie Watkins, who is a transfer target of Arsenal.
The 27-year-old, who is a boyhood Arsenal fan, is a transformed figure at Aston Villa and under Unai Emery, with O’Hara claiming that, aside from the likes of Kane and Erling Haaland, he is ‘one of the most exciting’ players in the league.
On Saturday, as Villa outplayed one of the best defences in the Premier League, Ollie Watkins netted a brace against Newcastle United to boost their European hopes.
Prior to Emery’s arrival at Villa Park, the club were struggling above the Premier League’s relegation zone and Watkins’ confidence was out of the window.
But, fast forward to the present, and the Midlands side are sitting sixth in the Premier League table and their star striker has 11 goals in his last 12 games.
That’s some serious form for the England international and O’Hara was full of praise, as he told Sky Sports News (16/04/23).
“I wish Harry Kane would do that (keep his game to the width of the penalty area),” said O’Hara. “Oh, absolutely (Watkins in the next England squad).
“Outside of Haaland and Kane. I think Ollie Watkins is probably one of the most exciting and best players in the Premier League. The way he is playing.”
WATKINS WILL STAY PUT
There is no reason for Watkins to head for the exit door at Villa Park because, at his current age, he would just play second fiddle to what Mikel Arteta has at Arsenal.
At this stage of his career, he needs to be starting games on a regular basis, plus, as Villa proved with Jack Grealish, if they are going to sell key assets, then they are going to demand record amounts.
And Arsenal aren’t about that, so Villa fans should expect a contract renewal from Watkins, rather than an exit this summer.
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