Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins gets ‘Massive compliment’ after Harry Kane admission
Dan Bardell believes Lee Carsley paid Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins a compliment by starting him for England ahead of Harry Kane against Greece on Thursday.
The 28-year-old grabbed his first goal for the Three Lions since his EUROs semi-final heroics against the Netherlands, scoring in an all-important Nations League win on 14 November.
This goal came after a dry spell of form for the Villans, failing to score since mid-October against Fulham for Unai Emery’s side.
Carsley maintained faith in the striker which Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist sees as a “Massive” compliment to the Villa man.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I think it is a massive compliment to Watkins from Lee Carsley that he’s picked him for what is the bigger game.
“I think him and Kane were always going to play one game each but tactically Carsley saw him as a better fit for the bigger game, that’ll be a boost.
“He scored the kind of goal that he’s scored for years with Villa but has dried up recently.
“He’s gone five games without a goal so to be back on the scoresheet will give him a boost before he comes back to Villa.
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins scores for England
The ex-Brentford man is still the main number nine at Villa Park despite often being outshone by Jhon Duran throughout the early stages of this season.
Watkins isn’t prepared to give up that starting role just yet as he continues to push, signified by his goal for the Three Lions.
Emery and the Villa faithful will be hopeful that this strike can lead to bigger and better things in the coming weeks of the season after four defeats on the bounce.
With the forward scoring and Morgan Rogers having a positive impact on the international stage, it could be time for Villa to return to form.
In other Aston Villa news, Belgian media have mooted a problem with Amadou Onana he suffered in a loss against Italy.
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