Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins sparkles v Brentford after ‘massive’ praise from Lee Hendrie
Ollie Watkins added two more goals to his impressive Premier League tally this season with a brace in the 3-3 draw with Brentford at Villa Park.
Despite an ultimately frustrating result for Unai Emery’s side after throwing away their 2-0 lead, the striker proved once again that he is one of the best forwards in the division.
Lee Hendrie insisted Watkins is a massive player for Villa, backing him to be selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships this summer.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News [6 April, 14:41], Hendrie shared: “He’s been so influential for Aston Villa. Scoring goals and providing assists, he’s a massive, massive player for the football club.
“I hope he puts in a good performance because he probably didn’t do as much as he could’ve done in that [England vs] Brazil game when he was put in the team.
“You can’t just judge someone off one game, he’s got stacks of ability and I feel like he should be going to the Euros too.”
Ollie Watkins sparkles for Aston Villa v Brentford
Hendrie’s explanation of how important the striker is at Villa Park cannot be overstated. Not only has he got plenty of ability, and the stats to back it up, his goals continue to prove how crucial he is to Aston Villa and Unai Emery.
Watkins’ clinical finishing in front of goal was evidenced again as he tallied a 100 per cent shot conversion ratio, scoring with both attempts he had in the game despite the chances totalling an xG of just 0.46 combined. [Sofascore]
He was also in sharp form with the ball at his feet, completing a 100 per cent dribble success rate, drawing three fouls in the process to drag his team further up the pitch, and completing 13 passes at a 76 per cent success rate.
Even when faced by the opposition defenders, Watkins showed no signs of slowing down, easing off, or taking his foot off the gas which is an accusation that has been levelled at Villa in recent weeks. He won four of his five ground duels and three of five in the air.
If he can keep up this sort of form, there is no reason he would not be selected for this summer’s England squad despite competition from Ivan Toney, and as Hendrie claimed, he deserves to be on the plane.
In other Aston Villa news, Troy Deeney was “screaming” at an anonymous Villa star.
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