Alan Hutton, a former Aston Villa full-back, has joined us as an exclusive columnist. Each week, he’ll share his thoughts on the hot topics at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton is desperate for Ollie Watkins to stay at Aston Villa following his hat-trick against Brighton on Saturday.
Watkins, 27, has only scored three goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this season, but it was the second time he scored three goals in one game as Villa defeated Roberto De Zerbi’s team 6-1.
Watkins’ contract at Villa Park ends at the end of next season, and discussions with the ex-Brentford striker have apparently been ongoing since the beginning of May [The Athletic]. Fabrizio Romano wrote in his Daily Briefing on Sunday (1 October) that Villa “keeps pushing to extend his contract as soon as possible” following his triple-threat performance against the Seagulls.
Hutton has urged Aston Villa to keep hold of Watkins despite the club’s need to sign him to a new contract.
All teams are on the lookout for strikers, whether it be for January or the summer,” Hutton told Villa News.
“Personally, I think Watkins fits Aston Villa really well with the way they want to play.
“He scores the goals and it must be a great boost in confidence. “Danny Ings left to make Watkins the main man. Jhon Duran’s come in and he’s shown good promise moving forward so he’s going to push Watkins but obviously I’d like to see him stay.
“I think Villa are really building something special, they’re moving in the right direction with a good manager.
“Watkins is a huge part of that so I was really happy for him to get the three goals and you want him to just kick on now.
“If he keeps playing that way, you’re knocking on the door of England and that’s probably his aim this season.”
In other Aston Villa news, Fabrizio Romano has shared the latest on Watkins’ situation at Villa Park as vultures circle.
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