Ollie Watkins

[Smithy]

I didn't realise Tuchel was there, but if he was, then I'd imagine that pretty much guarantees his place on the plane.  As others have all said, an almost complete centre-forward performance.  Pace, movement, pressing, great control, good passing, a goal, an assist, and he gave those two centre halves an absolutely torrid time.

Also, he did it under European match officials, which Tuchel will like (as the Premier league doesn't feel like it's reffed differently some times)

Given his record since being dropped is, I think, 7 goals and 3 or 4 assists, I don't see how he'll be ignored.  16 goals for the season isn't brilliant, but it's a healthy total, and he only needs one more to reach last season's total.

If the mystery knee/cyst injury from earlier in the season was indeed real and having an impact, then I think it's safe to say it's gone and he's back at 100%.

[OCD]

I think the more interesting question than whether he's named in the England squad, is whether we keep him past the summer. For a lot of this season I've been in the camp of selling and replacing him. But since Tuchel dropped him, he's become the player we recognise again. Right now there doesn't seem much upside in selling him because he's unlikely to bring in enough money to recruit someone on the same level as what he currently is. So what we probably need is a viable alternative who causes similar problems when he's not at it. Possibly raises the question of whether we sell Tammy 6 months on from buying him or keep him and add a third number 9.

[Duncan Shaw]

Phenomal last night!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think the more interesting question than whether he's named in the England squad, is whether we keep him past the summer. For a lot of this season I've been in the camp of selling and replacing him. But since Tuchel dropped him, he's become the player we recognise again. Right now there doesn't seem much upside in selling him because he's unlikely to bring in enough money to recruit someone on the same level as what he currently is. So what we probably need is a viable alternative who causes similar problems when he's not at it. Possibly raises the question of whether we sell Tammy 6 months on from buying him or keep him and add a third number 9.

Good question but I'd rather come back to it at the end of the season. The only thing I will add right now is Unai said today that Tammy isn't up to speed on how we play and it will take a bit more time.

[PhilVill]

I think if he goes to the WC and has a decent time of it, we'll sell on for a tidy sum which may well be an astute move. But as always, Im probably talking out my arse.

[Ian.]

In a perfect world, I wouldn’t want sell him. We’d be mad until we purchase a player we can trust. However, we all know we’re not financially in a position to stock the shelves.

I do really worry though what Emery thinks, he’s got his trusted lieutenants in McGinn, Ollie, Torres and Kamara who seem to me like extremely hard to find replacements. They are all so unique to his style and fit the system so well.

[ChicagoLion]

I think last night was his best ever performance in a Villa shirt.
Someone needs to head but him every game.
His physicality against the Forest defenders was immense.

[Sexual Ealing]

In a perfect world, I wouldn’t want sell him. We’d be mad until we purchase a player we can trust. However, we all know we’re not financially in a position to stock the shelves.

I do really worry though what Emery thinks, he’s got his trusted lieutenants in McGinn, Ollie, Torres and Kamara who seem to me like extremely hard to find replacements. They are all so unique to his style and fit the system so well.

We wouldn't get much of a fee, and principal strikers don't tend to come on much lower wages, so there doesn't seem much point selling him.

[paul_e]

I'd be more interested in signing someone this summer who can play 2-3 different positions (Rashford as a good example of the sort of player I mean) and is a genuine options to play with or in place of Ollie. That adds more depth to the squad without stuffing it and gives us a little more space to do bigger changes next summer.

An 'off' summer is better for the broader squad changes where you can have the whole squad together all pre-season rather than the slow drip of returning players we'll get after the world cup this time. It also gives us another year to stabilise the finances and hopefully pump the numbers with CL money. It also means we can focus more heavily on the real replacements we need to prioritise for dougie, bailey, sancho and mings.

[ADVILLAFAN]

In a way I hope he doesn't make the World Cup, so he's fresh for Villa.

[Smirker]

Osimhen is 27 and pissfarting his career away in Turkey.

Maybe we could rescue him.

[PaulWinch again]

Can’t really see any logic in selling him.

[OCD]

Osimhen is 27 and pissfarting his career away in Turkey.

Maybe we could rescue him.

Probably on £300k/week.

[Smirker]

Osimhen is 27 and pissfarting his career away in Turkey.

Maybe we could rescue him.

Probably on £300k/week.

Yeah, we'd need a clear out.

That's the going rate for top players though sadly.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Can’t really see any logic in ever selling him.

FTFY