Ollie Watkins may not enjoy sharing dressing room with Aston Villa teammate
Ollie Watkins may not appreciate the presence of Jhon Duran at Aston Villa or enjoy competing with the striker, according to Ian Darke.
Watkins has until recently struggled for form, enduring a barren spell of one goal in 10 for club and country before firing for England against Greece, followed by a return to the goals for the Villans against Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old then notched a goal and an assist against former side Brentford three games later, before he was dropped in favour of headline-grabbing impact substitute Duran who scored Saturday’s winner against Southampton [7 December].
TV commentator Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, believes Watkins may be threatened by Duran’s impact and will not always enjoy having him around, but has all the capabilities to return to the incredible standards he has produced.
“It’s hard to explain, but it’s appeared that Watkins went through one of those patches that strikers do from time to time, of looking off the boil,” he said.
“Villa fans had been hoping something would spark him back into action again, and he’s managed to improve a little recently.
“Maybe he doesn’t really enjoy having a guy who can come on in place of him and steal the headlines, as Duran has done quite a bit this season. But Watkins seems a level-headed guy, and he’s done enough at Villa to cut him some slack.”
Ollie Watkins aims to remain main man for Aston Villa
Unai Emery has been blessed with the attacking option at his disposal, with Duran’s goal against Southampton at the weekend marking a first Premier League start of the season for an impact player who was very close to departing Villa Park in the summer.
Watkins’ impact has been undeniable and his 33-minute appearance on Saturday likely signifies a rest before the Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, but the competition between the two remains.
The two are usually used separately from the start of matches, with Watkins having claimed seven goals and four assists for Villa this season; Duran has nine goals, but no club assists in 2024-25.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are backed to secure a move for this Juventus star.
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