Tim Sherwood has told the Kelly & Wrighty Show that Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins needs to be “more selfish” but he can learn from Danny Ings. The England international is impressing under the guidance of Steven Gerrard.
Watkins, 26, has scored two in his last three games for Aston Villa in wins over Brighton and Southampton. Against Leeds on Thursday night, he was a constant thorn in Jesse Marsch’s side – shining, without scoring a goal.
Clocking up 65 appearances for Villa since joining the club under Dean Smith in the summer of 2020, he has clocked up 23 goals in 65 games. His goalscoring form has dropped this time around, perhaps due to signings.
Indeed, it might be that the signing of Ings and trying to combine the two has reduced the chances afforded to Watkins – who netted 16 times last term. Sherwood thinks he needs to be more selfish in a Villa shirt.
“He needs to be more selfish, put himself in the middle of the goal. He will learn off Ings, one of the best Premier League finishers of late. He is not a no.9, he wants to play loose. Stevie has him playing where he wants to play.”
Sherwood on Watkins: Can Villa keep him, amid links with Arsenal?
Arsenal are after a striker with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract in June – and Watkins has been named as one of 10 players they could go after. Planet Sport say he is one Arsenal might turn to.
While the Gunners are much more likely to consider Alexander Isak, Dom Calvert-Lewin or Lautaro Martinez – Watkins has been regularly linked with the Gunners. Can Villa keep him? With Gerrard in place, no doubt.
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