Ollie Watkins: ‘Aston Villa forced into January decision’ amid financial concerns
Aston Villa are unlikely to sanction the sale of Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window despite their looming financial worries.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his former clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Villa‘s lack of attacking depth will force them to keep hold of the 29-year-old.
Watkins has struggled to perform so far this season, but scored twice as Aston Villa beat Brighton 4-3, before another solid performance against Arsenal.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 5 December that Aston Villa could accept offers for Watkins to raise funds amid concerns about their financial situation.
However, Unai Emery is reluctant to lose any attacking players in the mid-season window and instead plans to strengthen with January additions.
Unai Emery makes Ollie Watkins transfer plan
Brown told Football Insider in October that Emery hopes to kickstart Watkins’ season and wants to stick with him despite his struggles at the start of the season.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and played a key role in bringing Watkins to Villa Park in 2020, insisted that the striker still has a key role to play in the club’s plans for the rest of the season.
“I’d be very surprised if Aston Villa sold Watkins in January,” he told Football Insider.
“They don’t have the options up front to be able to lose another striker, that’s been part of their problem this year when he hasn’t been performing.
“Villa don’t have anybody that can come in for Watkins and play that role if he wasn’t available, so letting him go would only make their problems worse.
“Even if they wanted to sell him, they’d be forced to keep him because the alternative means they would end up without any strikers available.
“Plus, I think Emery still sees him as an important part of their plans if he gets back to his best.
“The thing I always liked about Watkins is he’s always willing to run in behind, it’s a nightmare for defenders because he’s so busy and always causing them issues.
“He works hard every day in training and on the pitch and that’s why he’s been so key for Villa.
“So he certainty still has a part to play there, I have no doubt about that, and Emery knows what he can do when he’s at his best.
“Villa want to help him get back to that level, and they don’t want to weaken their squad, they want to add to it and bring in players alongside Watkins.”
Aston Villa plot move to sign a new striker
Brown told Football Insider last month that Aston Villa want to sign a new striker given their current lack of depth behind Watkins in attacking areas.
Emery’s side were heavily linked with moves for the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the summer as they eyed numerous forward targets.
Now, they are planning to push forward with efforts to sign a “top-class” centre-forward in the January transfer window to bolster their attacking options.
Football Insider revealed on 8 November that Aston Villa want to sign a striker in January, as they aim to provide some competition for Watkins.
However, they are set to face difficulties luring a top-class number nine to Villa Park given the finances involved and the lack of available options.
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