Michael Owen has claimed that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is a ‘top, top player’, as he told Premier League Productions (05/03/22 at 8:50 pm).
The former England international added that he knows that Steven Gerrard ‘really likes’ him as a player.
After a tough number of weeks for Watkins, he has started to turn his form around after scoring in back-to-back matches.
On Saturday, Villa trashed in-form Southampton 4-0, with Watkins opening the scoring and also linking up well with Danny Ings during the game.
Owen praised the 26-year-old since his move to Villa Park and also spoke about the mixed sets of results Steven Gerrard has had during his time in B6.
“Ollie Watkins for me is a top, top player,” said Owen. “He came from Brentford and he scored a lot of goals there. But I do like him.
“I know that Steven Gerrard really likes him as well – Gerrard has had a bit of a mixed bag. Don’t get me wrong, he has a really good start to his managerial career.
“But just recently, it has been a bit of a mixed bag of results. However, that win against Southampton has got them really back on track.”
The one issue Gerrard has had to face is trying to get Ings and Watkins playing and working together.
The duo have had their good moments together, questionable moments together, looked better on their own, but also out of touch when playing by themselves.
But given the goals they have in their locker, however it happens, Gerrard needs to use them beyond this season because the quality is there.
Philippe Coutinho has helped matters by knitting it all together because he produced his best performance, since signing for Aston Villa during the January transfer window, against the Saints yesterday.
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