Ollie Watkins labelled ‘awful’ after what Aston Villa shocker vs Newcastle United
Ollie Watkins’ struggles were on show for Aston Villa again in the victory over Newcastle United on Sunday.
Watkins has been poor at times for Villa this season, with his lack of goals being papered over by various other stars in claret and blue.
Emi Buendia did that in the first half at St James’ Park with his opening goal, while Emi Martinez made a stunning save to keep Sandro Tonali out.
The striker will have one eye over his shoulder ahead of Tammy Abraham’s imminent arrival at Aston Villa, and maybe that pressure took its toll in the north east.
Watkins did eventually find the net, but it was one lapse in concentration that left Don Goodman furious against the Magpies.
Ollie Watkins leaves Don Goodman furious vs Newcastle United
Watkins could soon be joined by a new striker at Villa Park, with a deal for Abraham looking increasingly likely in the Midlands.
His performance away to Newcastle was hugely Jekyll and Hyde as he showed flashes of quality in between moments of madness.
The Englishman would have opened the scoring if not for a stunning save from Nick Pope, but things didn’t improve from there.
There were so many moments where the striker got on the ball and should have got a shot away or found the right pass to a teammate.
Nothing summed that up more than a passage of play that should have ended with a chance for Jadon Sancho, but Watkins’ pass was all wrong and was easily intercepted.
Goodman was left fuming by the forward on Sky Sports Main Event, branding him with a less-than-desirable label.
He said: “Watkins has got a runner left and a runner right. The pass is just awful and allows Lewis Hall to intercept it. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him that he needs to do better.
Watkins proved Don Goodman wrong at Aston Villa
It was a frustrating performance from Watkins until he found the net and made sure of three points in claret and blue.
The 30-year-old had created two chances for his teammates and took two shots, but wasn’t able to convert those into true output.
That was until he headed home a Lucas Digne cross, just minutes after he took aim from a shot from range that so nearly caught Pope out.
The England international has never been one for scoring from outside the box, but still took aim twice with efforts worth a collective 0.04 expected goals.
One big chance missed summed up his day for the most part: he got into positions to make things happen, but just couldn’t have the desired effect.
A frustrating afternoon personally for the striker before his headed effort, and one with plenty of positives to take.
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