Aston Villa ex-scout shares Ollie Watkins exit verdict amid ‘big money’ Champions League claim
Aston Villa securing qualification for the Champions League would go a long way in helping Ollie Watkins stay at the club.
That is according to former Villa Park scout Bryan King, who believes huge financial rewards await if such qualification is achieved.
Unai Emery’s side currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, although the latter have a game in hand, having recently smashed the former 4-0.
When asked if securing Champions League football would help keep Watkins at Villa Park, King told Villa News: “Of course. But as we all know, sometimes you have to sell to buy, but then why would you sell your best players?
“If they do get in the Champions League, if I was Aston Villa, I’d certainly keep hold of my best players and see how we’re going to do in it, because it’s big money.
“If you’re going to qualify for the Champions League – it would be the first time in many, many years since Aston Villa have been in the European Cup or Champions League position – the financial rewards are huge. Attendances, sponsorships, and that’s just money coming from UEFA.”
Can Aston Villa secure an unforgettable Champions League place?
It would be a stunning achievement from Emery and his players to clinch Champions League qualification this season.
Such success would be even more impressive given how poor Villa were not so long ago, with Emery completely turning things around in the Midlands.
But the club still have a long way to go to secure the lucrative place, with their test made more difficult due to their current participation in the Europa Conference League, with a busy league and European schedule not easy to manage.
Such a busy schedule could have a very negative impact on Villa’s final Premier League standing, which could in turn result in the exits of star players like Watkins.
In other Aston Villa news, one ace must be let go despite a 100% display against West Ham that left Stephen Warnock wowed.
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