Gary Lineker has suggested that Ollie Watkins for a question revolving around being the best striker in the Premier League.
So far this season, for Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins has been superb. He has ten goal involvements in 11 Premier League games.
Since Unai Emery’s appointment, the England international has gone from strength to strength.
The Villa number 11 struggled under Steven Gerrard as he often was forced out wide to accommodate Danny Ings. This was not the case under the Spaniard.
In the last 12 months, Watkins has become one of Emery’s go-to men and he has repaid the trust put in him.
With that being said, there are still corners of the Premier League which do not hold him in high regard. This does seem to be changing this season.
What has Gary Lineker said about Ollie Watkins?
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, a question revolving around Premier League strikers was posed by the three hosts. Alongside Lineker is Alan Shearer and former Villa captain, Micah Richards.
To consider anyone else in the top spot for strikers in the Premier League but Erling Haaland feels silly, so they discount him.
When considering second to the Norweigan, Lineker said: “Now do we count people like Mo Salah as a striker? Probably not for this question. I would say Callum Wilson, Ollie Watkins.”
Considering the pedigree and goal-scoring ability that the former Tottenham and Barcelona man possesses, this is a huge compliment.
With his partnership alongside Moussa Diaby, Villa are a feared attacking threat right now.
Adding to this, former Villain Richards added to Lineker’s comments: “On form I would say, Watkins. Still think he has got another level to go.
“I think he’s still snatching at things if I’m being really critical. I don’t like to talk about finishing when I’m not a striker, but I do believe that he has got another level to go where it becomes effortless for him.”
It is great to see the Villa man getting praise from the media alongside his own manager and on the international stage.
After a few games without a goal in recent weeks, Watkins may be looking to get back on the goalscoring trail soon.
