In a recent appeal, former Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie has called on Ollie Watkins to step up and assert his role as the club's leading striker. The England international has found his influence somewhat diminished in recent outings, particularly with the emergence of teammate Jhon Duran, who has been in fine scoring form. However, Duran's availability for the upcoming match against Brighton has been curtailed due to a straight red card received during the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United.
With Duran sidelined, Watkins now has a prime opportunity to impress manager Unai Emery. Hendrie expressed optimism regarding the competition among the strikers, remarking, "It's a great problem for Emery to have in terms of his strikers. You want that competition in your squad, and you want players fighting over the shirt. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the season. With what Jhon Duran has produced, it's [been] impossible to leave him out."
Hendrie also highlighted the contrasting styles of Watkins and Duran. He noted, "Duran is a very physical player. He's quite raw and has that element of surprise. Sometimes you don't know what you're going to get from him. He is a more instinctive player. You know what Ollie Watkins wants to do; he wants to spin, he wants to play on the defender's shoulders. He can create his own chances. Ollie's game is a little bit more well-rounded than Duran's. He also contributes in terms of assists."
Aston Villa are currently enjoying a commendable run in the Champions League, positioning themselves well for progression to the knockout stages. However, sustaining that momentum in the Premier League has proven challenging, particularly following last season’s impressive fourth-place finish.
Reflecting on the significance of Champions League football for the club, Hendrie stated, "Champions League football is what all the fans have been dreaming of for years; the football club's been waiting for it for quite some time. They've produced some fantastic results in Europe against some world-class teams, and everyone has got very excited because the Champions League is the pinnacle for most Premier League sides - everyone wants to be involved in Champions League football."
He further elaborated, "They've thrown everything at the Champions League, and I think they've had a different mentality for those games, not just the players but the entire football club. The problem has been following those matches; there's been a bit of a hangover. Domestic football just isn't as exciting, and they need to address that quickly."
Acknowledging the challenges of balancing both European and domestic commitments, Hendrie pointed out, "I think it's understandable that your domestic form can suffer when you're playing in the Champions League and it's new. We saw Newcastle struggle with getting the balance right last season, but finding the balance is what the top teams do. It's a learning curve, and hopefully, they will get there and show those consistency levels."
In conclusion, he emphasised the importance of maintaining focus in the Premier League, stating, "Without sounding disrespectful, you've got to be as up for games in the Premier League against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Southampton. You've got to beat those teams after playing in Europe if you want to be a top, top team like Liverpool or Arsenal."
Hendrie's insights highlight the critical need for Aston Villa to remain competitive in both domestic and European arenas as they strive for continued success. The coming weeks will be pivotal for Watkins and the squad as they seek to navigate the challenges ahead and solidify their standing in both competitions.