Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins exit prediction emerges amid new Joshua Zirkzee transfer update

Aston Villa will be keen to sign Joshua Zirkzee during the summer transfer window to play alongside Ollie Watkins instead of replacing him, according to Alan Hutton.

The England international has been in excellent form under Unai Emery this season, scoring 19 goals and laying on 12 assists in 33 league matches but his displays won't have gone unnoticed by teams at the top of the Premier League.

Villa are expected to add to their forward line come the end of the season, with reports linking the Villans with a potential £60million move for Bologna forward Zirkzee who has scored 11 goals in 30 Serie A games this term [Il Resto del Carlino newspaper, 10 April].

While Hutton believes Watkins will be looking over his shoulder if Zirkzee makes the switch to Villa Park this summer, he doesn't think that the 28-year-old will be under any pressure for his place if a new striker is signed.

"I think if you look at how Villa play, it can be two up front," Hutton told Villa News.

"Normally it is Watkins and another. McGinn has played up there, Bailey can play in there, Diaby can play in there so it might be more of that.

"It lightens the burden for Ollie Watkins but I always think as a player it's funny, say I was at right back and the club were looking at a £25million right-back you're thinking he'll be playing.

"Your squad always has to get stronger, you can't stand still. Ollie Watkins, for me, is not under any pressure at all. He's been absolutely outstanding, the go-to guy, his goals, his assists, he's had a fantastic season.

"This will be to help him out, to either play alongside him or whatever, but £60million is a lot."

Will Ollie Watkins leave Aston Villa and Villa Park in the summer transfer window?

Few players in the Premier League are enjoying better seasons than Watkins at Villa Park. The Englishman has been one of the division's form players and it isn't a shock to see some suggesting he could leave this summer.

But Emery won't want to lose any of his star men, especially if Villa book their place in the Champions League next season. The likes of Watkins and Emi Martinez will be crucial to the Villans' hopes of progressing in Europe's premier competition.

Hopefully, Emery will be able to add a couple of high-quality players to his side in the summer transfer window. Whether that will be Zirkzee or a different centre-forward remains to be seen, but an able deputy is a must.

Jhon Duran has been in reasonable form when he has played, but he is yet to show that he is capable of leading the line week in and week out in the Premier League which has left the Villans incredibly reliant on Watkins.

In other Aston Villa news, Douglas Luiz is set to become one of the highest earners at Villa Park amid a new contract update

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