Micah Richards lifts lid on real Tammy Abraham at Aston Villa – ‘I’ve been in a dressing room with him’
Micah Richards believes that Tammy Abraham has all the qualities to be a very good Premier League striker at Aston Villa.
The centre-forward grabbed his first Premier League goal since returning to the Midlands side on Saturday, scoring a late equaliser against Leeds United.
Villa drew 1-1 with Daniel Farke’s side, but looked to be heading to defeat after Anton Stach fired a long-range free-kick into the top corner midway through the first half.
Unai Emery’s side were unable to find a route back into the game until the 88th minute, when substitute Abraham used his thigh to guide in the leveller.
Micah Richards believes Tammy Abraham will thrive at Aston Villa
Abraham joined Aston Villa from Besiktas in the winter transfer window, coming in as a replacement for Donyell Malen.
The Englishman was already a cult hero among Villa fans, following his 26-goal Championship campaign back in 2018-19, as they were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Former Villa defender Richards was part of Dean Smith’s squad that year, although he didn’t make an appearance due to injury.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Richards revealed that Abraham has a real desire to improve and believes that the former Chelsea man has all the attributes to be a top striker in the Premier League.
He said: “I’ve actually been in a dressing room with him (Abraham). I didn’t play with him because I was injured at the time. It was when Villa were in the Championship. He’s got all the attributes to be, maybe not at the top top level, but a very good striker within the Premier League.
“I think he is an all-round class act. He works really hard as well. There are some young players who don’t really like to take on information, but Abraham always wants to improve, and playing under Emery can only improve him.
“They didn’t have a like-for-like replacement (for Ollie Watkins), but Abraham certainly is that. He took his goal ever so well; he was alive, he was waiting for it.”
Does Tammy Abraham deserve a start?
Abraham has come in to provide some real competition to Watkins, and by grabbing his first Premier League goal for Villa, he may be pushing for a starting position.
The 28-year-old has now found the back of the net in two consecutive games, after scoring as Emery’s side were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle United in the FA Cup last weekend.
As for Watkins, he hasn’t scored for almost a month now, and despite a short run of form around the new year, it has been a disappointing season for the Villa man.
Now that there are other options up front, he cannot afford to continue his barren streak in front of goal.
Villa face Wolves at Molineux next up in the Premier League, and it would be no surprise to see Emery drop Watkins to the bench and give Abraham a chance from the start.
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