Ollie Watkins has been the star of the Aston Villa in recent seasons, but Chris Waddle isn’t convinced with the England international after the 2-1 away win against Leicester.
Villa took part in their third Premier League game of the season on Saturday as they travelled to the King Power Stadium.
Unai Emery’s side had a mixed start to the new campaign, beating West Ham on the opening day but losing to Arsenal at Villa Park last weekend.
The match against the Foxes presented another opportunity for Watkins, who had netted 27 goals for Villa last season, to net his first goal of the campaign.
However, he once again failed to make an impact before being subbed off for Jhon Duran.
Now, Waddle believes there may be a reason as to why the England international is failing to get off the mark this season.
Ollie Watkins ‘is not fit’ claims Chris Waddle
Watkins has no doubt had a long summer. The striker was part of England’s Euro 2024 squad resulting in the 28-year-old missing a large part of Villa’s pre-season.
Watkins was quickly introduced back into the first team and has now started all three of their first Premier League games.
However, he has struggled to rekindle his previous form and he missed another glorious chance against the Foxes in the opening moments of the game.
Looking back on the moment, Waddles remains unconvinced that Watkins is back to his best.
He told the BBC: “I don’t think Ollie Watkins is up to the pace he was at last season.
“He looks as if he is struggling, I don’t know if it’s fitness.
“He doesn’t seem to have that sharpness about him which we saw last season. That was a brilliant ball by Tielemans and really that should be a goal.”
Read more: Every Aston Villa confirmed signing and departure in the summer.
Ollie Watkins needs to be dropped for Jhon Duran
As good as Watkins is, it is clear that he is struggling at the start of the new campaign.
The striker has missed multiple golden chances, which has almost cost Villa multiple points already.
On the other hand, Duran has enjoyed a fantastic start and netted the winner against West Ham on the opening day as well as Villa’s second against Leicester.
With the form the Colombian is on, Emery has no room for sentiment and must give Watkins a rest after the international break.
