Ashley Preece says Watkins ‘is not right’ after ‘poor’ performance

Ollie Watkins impressed in his debut season for Aston Villa, scoring 16 goals with five assists from 40 games, but his second campaign at Villa Park has left a lot to be desired. The 26-year-old has managed only five goals and one assist in 21 outings this season and doesn’t appear to be enjoying his football under Steven Gerrard.

Watkins hasn’t scored in the Premier League since the turn of the year and has netted only twice in the last three months. Ashley Preece, who gave Watkins a player rating of 4/10 in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, believes ‘he’s unhappy’ and ‘is not right’ after turning in another ‘poor’ performance over the weekend.

Preece said in Tuesday’s Birmingham Live’s Q&A: ‘As for Watkins, he’s not right. I’m not sure what’s up – even with the goals against Leeds last week, he wouldn’t celebrate with his teammates. Strange. I’m not sure if he’s been asked to play a certain way under Gerrard, that’s why he’s unhappy. He was poor again on Sunday. Just on a poor run of form which can happen. I think Ings will come in for him on Saturday.’

Villa are struggling in the final third. They’ve scored one or less goals in four of their last six Premier League games and it’s costing them results. Gabriel Agbonlahor conceded that Watkins has been short of form but called on supporters to give him time to turn things around.

Preece believes the England international will be dropped ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Watford, adding: ‘Watkins could come out, Ings could come in’. With the 26-year-old enduring a five-game goal drought, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him dropped.

In other news, Ashley Preece tips Carney Chukwuemeka to replace John McGinn v Watford