Watkins could be dropped by Aston Villa against Arsenal after early team news – Agbonlahor
Ollie Watkins may have to play out wide in front three or face the axe at Aston Villa, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer insisted Dean Smith may have to make a “big” decision to drop one of Ings or Watkins.
As quoted by Birmingham Live, Smith claimed he was happy with their partnership at his pre-match media conference but revealed that fit-again Leon Bailey and Bertrand Traore have both travelled with the squad to London.
Watkins got his first goal of the season against Tottenham just before the international break while Ings has three goals this season.
“As a manager, you’ve got to make big decisions, you’ve got to leave Ings or Watkins out,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“You see a lot of clubs that have big players that have to be left out. Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, he’s taken Lukaku off, he’s left Havertz on the bench, Mason Mount’s been on the bench a lot recently. He knows it’s something you have to do.
“I think it’s something Dean Smith will do, leave Watkins or Ings on the bench and go to a 4-3-3. Bring Buendia on the left, or El Ghazi onto the left. You’ve got to look at it.
“Or maybe Watkins has got to adapt to another position. You look at Edouard for Crystal Palace against Arsenal, he went over to the left-wing and had a very good game.
“It happened in my career, I didn’t want to play left-wing but I played it to help the team and keep my place in the team.
“Maybe it’s something Dean Smith tries, he puts Watkins on the right or left, that gives him in the team. You go with Watkins, El Ghazi and Ings as front three.
“When it happened to me I was given tactics that meant I didn’t have to stay out wide. When I received the ball, you can go play as three strikers and mix positions.
“That’s something I would love to see then you’ve got the midfield of Luiz, McGinn and Ramsey. That’s what Villa fans will want to see.”
Watkins moved to Villa for an initial £28million fee last summer.
In other news, Aston Villa plan to accept an £18million bid for a 26-year-old.