Aston Villa fans slammed for criticism of 'easy' target Ollie Watkins

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has slammed supporters for their criticism of Ollie Watkins, as he claimed they are 'quick to jump on the player's back' amid a poor run of form.

This season, Watkins hasn't quite hit the heights that he reached in his first Premier League campaign, as he scored 14 goals in 37 top-flight appearances.

The England international has netted five times in 20 games so far this term and has been a mainstay in Steven Gerrard's first XI since the former Rangers boss succeeded Dean Smith at the Villa Park helm back in November.

After a bright start under their new head coach, Villa have slumped in form recently, winning just one of their last seven in all competitions.

Watkins himself is without a goal since December, but was unlucky to see a tap-in ruled out for offside in Villa's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United last time out.

Ex-Villa forward Agbonlahor has backed Watkins to rediscover his best form ahead of the clash against Watford at Villa Park this weekend.

“From the first whistle, they were at it while Aston Villa were very, very slow. When you’re going to St. James’ Park now you can’t start off slow," Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“Gerrard needs to freshen it up a little bit, rotate a few players because some of the players look very, very leggy.

“He knows a lot of those players have been playing a lot of football. When you’ve got quality players on the bench, I’m sure Gerrard will turn to them.

“When you put a performance like that up at Newcastle, anyone in that starting XI should be worried about being dropped.

“It’s easy to point at Watkins. I’ve played in that position up front on your own and if you don’t get the service it can be very, very tough.

“Watkins has