Unai Emery has to drop Ollie Watkins after latest Aston Villa reveal
Unai Emery must surely replace Ollie Watkins with Tammy Abraham in the Aston Villa starting line-up after the latest evidence.
Watkins has had a poor season by his standards, despite having eight Premier League goals to his name this term.
The 30-year-old found the back of the net four times in eight days around the new year, but apart from that, he has struggled for Emery’s side.
He was quiet in front of goal once again as Villa drew 1-1 with Leeds United on Saturday, and it could be time for the centre-forward to have a spell on the bench.
Tammy Abraham has been lethal for Aston Villa
With Watkins struggling, Abraham has stepped up for Aston Villa, scoring twice in his last two games.
The winter signing grabbed his first goal back at the Midlands side earlier this month, during the FA Cup defeat to Newcastle United, before scoring the equaliser against Leeds last weekend.
What makes this feat all the more impressive is the fact that Abraham has only had two shots on target in that time, finding the back of the net with both of them.
The former Chelsea man has actually had just three shots in total during that time, highlighting just how clinical he has been.
Tammy Abraham can shine with Ollie Watkins struggling
For far too long now, Watkins has had no real competition at Villa, meaning that he effectively starts every game he is fit for.
Donyell Malen provided a slight challenge to the Englishman earlier this season, but was never viewed by Emery as an out-and-out centre forward.
With Abraham replacing Malen in the winter window, though, the Villa boss finally has the option to take Watkins out of the team.
Given the form that Abraham is in, it seems like a no-brainer for Emery to give him an opportunity from the start, and then potentially use Watkins off the bench.
Aston Villa take on Wolves at Molineux next up in the Premier League, and there will be a large group of fans hoping that the former Roma striker is given a chance up top.
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