Agbonlahor shares big Ollie Watkins claim as Aston Villa details emerge – ’20 goals a season’
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted there is “no reason” Ollie Watkins can’t score “20 league goals a season” after his bright start under new Aston Villa boss Unai Emery.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider,
Watkins has notched two goals and two assists in his first four games under Emery – who arrived at Villa Park in October.
The seven-cap England international has scored 31 goals in 94 games since joining the Midlands giants from Brentford for a reported fee of £28million – plus £5million in add-ons.
Watkins has been the preferred option for both Emery and former boss Steven Gerrard this season, starting 15 league games – as opposed to Danny Ings’ tally of eight top-flight starts.
Watkins’ best return in an Aston Villa shirt came in the 2020-21 season – when he scored 16 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Everyone knows that Watkins has great speed, he’s great at running with the ball.
“On his day, if he chooses the right finish – he can be a goalscorer. He’s shown that in the Premier League.
“He will know that he has to do better.
“But there’s no reason why he can’t score 20 league goals a season because he’s got all the attributes.
“There’s a reason Emery is starting him over Ings or Cameron Archer – and that is because he is Villa’s best striker.”
Aston Villa sit 12th in the Premier League.
Watkins has scored three top-flight goals this term, while Ings has five.
In other news, expert claims Aston Villa are particularly “concerned” by one injury after triple blow.