Patrice Evra waxed-lyrical about Ollie Watkins after he helped Aston Villa thrash Liverpool 7-2 in a remarkable Premier League contest on Sunday evening.
The former left-back told Sky Sports (04/10/20 at 9:25 pm) that Watkins played like a ‘complete’ striker and the hat-trick hero showcased his ‘talent’ to the world.
Eyebrows were raised when Villa paid a mammoth fee of £28 million to Brentford for Watkins services [BBC Sport], but it’s quite clear he has shut any critics up.
Even though Watkins netted the prefect hat-trick, he should have scored at least two more during the game, as Evra spoke highly of the player.
“Great performance,” Evra told Sky Sports. “Like I say, it’s a different level scoring goals in the Championship than against a side like Liverpool.
“Left foot, right foot and he scored a header. He looks like a complete striker. Look at his engine and his work ethic also. What a game for him!
“He looks like a threat all game – he showed his talent. I know it’s only one game. But his third game for Aston Villa, scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool. What a great night. Well deserved.”
It’s a game that will live long in the memory of those at Villa because beating the champions 7-2 doesn’t happen often in a top European league.
Watkins made two of the best centre-back’s in the country – Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – look like players who were new to England’s top-flight.
Liverpool couldn’t deal with his runs in-behind their defence, directness and intelligent movement off the ball, as he even forced Jurgen Klopp to take Gomez off in the second half.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
