Ollie Watkins’ goalless start to the season continued for Aston Villa as they beat Leicester City 2-1 on Saturday despite their misfiring talisman.
Ollie Watkins has plenty of credit in the bank at Aston Villa having scored 27 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions last season.
What makes this all the more remarkable was that there was not a single penalty within the 27 strikes, as Watkins helped fire Villa into the Champions League with the best individual season of his career.
However, it just hasn’t happened for the 28-year-old so far this season as he has drawn three blanks and has been culpable of missing some guilt-edged chances; particularly in the defeat against Arsenal.
How much of this is down to the fact Watkins has no pre-season after being part of the England squad that got to the Euro 2024 final is unknown, but Unai Emery will be desperate for his primary source of goals to get up and running.
Aston Villa fans told not to worry about lack of Ollie Watkins goals so far
Fortunately for Villa they have found other sources of goals, with £50 million summer signing Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran both scoring twice already this season.
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Their goals have seen Villa secure two 2-1 wins – against West Ham and Leicester – but unable to find the target in the 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
Watkins has been replaced in all three games as he gets back up to speed after a short summer break but TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino believes there is nothing to worry about regarding the striker’s form.
Cascarino explained on TalkSPORT (6:56am, Sunday): “I am sure he will be back to normal. He has got a great attitude. He is always a willing runner.
“And remember Villa fans, that keepers have pulled off some good saves against him as well at the start of the season. It’s not that he has missed them.
“He had one glorious chance against Arsenal he put wide of the post and the keeper didn’t make a save, but there have been a couple of goalkeeping saves that have been quite decent.
“I think you don’t have to give Ollie a message because he has got a great attitude. He has come from Exeter, he has gone through the ranks. Every challenge that has been put in front of him, he has been fine.
“I wouldn’t worry about Ollie Watkins at all, if I was a Villa fan.”
Jhon Duran deserves to start ahead of Watkins against Everton
Watkins has been called up to Lee Carsley’s first England squad as interim manager before Villa face Everton in the first game back after the international break.
However, he may have to accept an unfamiliar role on the bench as Duran surely deserves a start after two goals in three games having come off the bench on each occasion.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery now told ‘unique’ Aston Villa player is one of the ‘world’s best’ after Leicester win
The Colombian was expected to leave Villa Park this summer after constant speculation regarding an exit but the number nine shirt and assurances regarding an uncreased role from Emery were enough to keep the striker at the club.
Now, Duran is making headlines for the right reasons after his behaviour fuelled talk of as summer sale as he looks determined to make an impact for Villa.
Emery should reward these performances with a start next time out, which could also give Watkins a bit of extra motivation to re-find his shooting boots.
