Aston Villa news: Ollie Watkins tipped to explode as 'emphatic' claim issued - Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has tipped Ollie Watkins to explode after ending his Aston Villa goal drought.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa's record Premier League goalscorer insisted Watkins was a confidence player and does not need fans on his back.
The striker scored his first goal in seven games as Steven Gerrard's side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 on Saturday (28 February).
He told the club's website after the game he hopes the goal will be the "first of many" before the end of the season.
And Agbonlahor backed the England international to refind his best form.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "Ollie Watkins has had some unfair criticism, he's a top player.
"Sometimes you go through spells without scoring, you go through spells without getting chances. It happens in football, especially in the Premier League, it's the toughest league to score goals in.
"Fans should try sticking by Watkins. They forget what he's done for the club. Already he's got 20 goals in two seasons.
"He's a great striker and you can tell he feeds off confidence. He needs confidence, not fans getting on his back.
"The way he took it, look at his run, he needs the right service and the right service was given to him by Tyrone Mings and he put it away emphatically.
"He'll be looking at definitely scoring against Southampton. That will be an end-to-end game as well."
Watkins became the 17th player to score 20 Premier League goals for Aston Villa with his strike at the Amex.
He has 22 goals in 63 appearances across all competitions for the club.