Ollie Watkins clearly not happy at Aston Villa as ex-employee raises exit question
Ollie Watkins could be on his way out of Aston Villa in the summer.
The England international has hardly had his best season so far, with his recent performances becoming increasingly frustrating at Villa Park.
He failed to truly make any sort of attacking impact against Leeds United as he failed to score for the fifth consecutive outing.
The 30-year-old last scored against Newcastle United as he headed home from close range from a pinpoint Lucas Digne cross.
Questions have been raised about what has gone wrong for Watkins, and now an issue with Unai Emery has been mooted as a potential problem.
Ollie Watkins looks increasingly unhappy at Aston Villa
The striker has done little to prove himself in claret and blue recently, all while Tammy Abraham has looked like a real threat.
Despite that, Watkins has continued to start in the Premier League and has caused annoyance on the terraces in B6.
Former Villa scout Bryan King has now suggested that his struggles may have been caused by Emery and Co. this campaign.
That could open the Englishman up to a summer exit as a high pressure enviornment reveals itself with the World Cup booked in for the end of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “Villa supporters have got to think back to before the start of this season.
“He hasn’t looked happy since the summer, and whether that’s come from the management, maybe?
“It’s all about goals for a centre-forward and he hasn’t exactly been getting the right service, it’s been poor.
“I think there will be plenty of interest in him over the summer.
“I imagine he’ll be fearing for his place at the World Cup now. He can’t move until the summer, and there is a decision to be made there.“
How Watkins can ensure his World Cup squad spot
Thomas Tuchel has already proven that he doesn’t care about leaving the Villa man out of his squad if goals aren’t flowing freely.
That happened earlier in the campaign as Harry Kane was named as the only striker for clashes against Serbia and Albania.
If he doesn’t want a repeat of that when the Three Lions squad is named for the 2026 World Cup, he needs to get his shooting boots on.
It won’t be a good look if he is replaced by Abraham and his struggles in front of goals continue until the end of the season.
If the Villa forward can get his tally up from eight to closer to 15 in the final games of the campaign, he could secure his seat on the plane to North America.
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