Aston Villa tipped to experiment as 'menacing' Watkins claim issued

By Gabriel Agbonlahor

5th May, 2022 | 9:00am

Aston Villa could change system with new Ollie Watkins role - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Aston Villa may change their formation to fit both Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings in the starting XI.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer delivered his verdict after both strikers scored in the 2-0 win over Norwich City last weekend (30 April).

Ings, 29, provided the assist for Watkin’s opening goal after coming on after 40 minutes before doubling his side’s lead in the second half.

Watkins, 25, has now scored nine Premier League goals this term while Ings has six.

“Watkins was back to his best,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“He was a menace to the Norwich defence, running channels, getting in behind, hunting defenders down and getting shots off. The way he took his goal was very confident as well.

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“I thought Danny Ings was really good as well when he came on. He got his goal too.

“I think they do need to start together. They are both quality players.

“I’m sure Steven Gerrard would love to get them both in the team but sometimes with the formation he plays isn’t open to two strikers.

“But he might be open to changing formations to fit in players. When Ings came on you thought Emiliano Buendia might be the first to come on and fit into where Leon Bailey was playing but he chose Ings.

“I’m sure Gerrard will try things out for the last few games of the season then he’s got a whole pre-season to work on things.

“It was a promising performance and they’ve got to build on that now.”

In other news, Aston Villa have submitted a ‘big-money’ player offer and he is made up his mind on a move.