Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were tasked with picking their Team of the Season as part of Sky Sport’s coverage of the Aston Villa draw with Liverpool on Monday night.
Villa have had a fine season and are on the brink of a Champions League finish after their dramatic comeback from 3-1 down to draw three each with Liverpool on Monday.
They are arguably a side who is all about the collective rather than the individual under Unai Emery, but this did not stop Carragher and Neville from naming one Villa player each in their respective teams.
Neville opted for Emi Martinez in goal, despite the Argentine scoring a calamitous own-goal in just the second minute against Liverpool.
However, Carragher’s sole Villa representative was Ollie Watkins and the pundit explained why he chose the England striker over Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Jamie Carragher explains Ollie Watkins Team of the Season inclusion
Watkins has had the best season of his career this campaign, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 Premier League assists with just one game remaining.
The 28-year-old thought he had finally netted his elusive 20th league goal of the season against Liverpool but VAR ruled out the strike for an offside in the build-up.
What makes Watkins’ return even more remarkable is the fact he does not take penalties for his side.
Neville opted for Haaland in his XI, but Carragher explained the reason he chose Watkins over the Norwegian, as he said: “The reason I’d go for Watkins over Haaland is there’s not much difference in the numbers, he’s playing for Aston Villa over Man City.”
“When I think of Haaland this season, we know he’s the best striker – we get that. But this season, in the biggest games, I’ve been slightly disappointed, even in the Champions League.”
“Also the games with Arsenal and Liverpool, I think the real elite defenders have got the better of him.”
Watkins has seen Premier League Golden Boot dream slip away
Up until recently, Watkins had a very real chance of winning the Premier League Golden Boot.
However, no league goals in his last three matches combined with Haaland’s recent return to form means the City striker is now six goals ahead of Watkins.
Despite this, Watkins does still have the most goal contributions in the league with 32.
The £130k-a-week striker is just one contribution ahead of Chelsea’s Cole Palmer in this regard, with the 22-year-old having two games left to add to this tally.
Whatever happens, it has been an incredible season for Watkins that should end with a place in the England squad for this summer’s European Championships.
