"He probably worries or used to worry too much about not scoring. Now you guarantee 15 league goals a season from him, Smith said. Of course, the issue Villa are now finding is that perhaps they can no longer guarantee that they'll get that many goals out of him. Watkins has undoubtedly been a top performer for Villa down the years, and he probably could even have shone at a bigger club in that time amid links with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United."
"Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has sent a message regarding Ollie Watkins this season after a slow start in front of goal. The England international is one of a number of players struggling to hit peak form for Unai Emery's side at the moment, and that lack of goals for him and others will be a real concern. Smith discussed Watkins as one of a number of topics in his interview with the Athletic recently."
"Watkins has undoubtedly been a top performer for Villa down the years. Still, we're perhaps now seeing signs that the 29-year-old is past his best, and that will be a big concern as Emery tries to turn this team's form around. Villa sold Jhon Duran back in January, and that perhaps increasingly looks like a poor decision as the talented young forward could have been an ideal long-term replacement for Watkins."
Ollie Watkins has started the season slowly in front of goal, contributing to a broader lack of finishing among Aston Villa players. Dean Smith said Watkins works tirelessly but tends to worry too much about not scoring. Smith noted Watkins typically yielded about 15 league goals a season, a level that Villa may no longer be able to rely on. Watkins has been a consistent top performer for Villa and attracted interest from bigger clubs earlier in his career. Signs now suggest the 29-year-old could be past his best, creating a problem for Unai Emery. The January sale of Jhon Duran may leave the club without a clear long-term replacement.
Read at www.caughtoffside.com
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