Big six Villa 2 Forest 0 Post Match Thread

[Toronto Villa]

Ollie never let him down when he was in the squad. So if you’re going to pick the likes of Maguire, Philips or Dier for that very reason despite all three being shit or not playing at club level, then Ollie deserved to be at least called up. And certainly when injuries happened. 

[PeterWithesShin]

It wasn't long ago that most on here didn't think he was good enough for the Villa side never would be, and we should have been playing a kid with virtually no experience instead of him and selling Watkins asap, now Southgate is a twat for not picking him for England at that time.

[PaulWinch again]

It wasn't long ago that most on here didn't think he was good enough for the Villa side never would be, and we should have been playing a kid with virtually no experience instead of him and selling Watkins asap, now Southgate is a twat for not picking him for England at that time.

Was just going to write something along these lines. Ollie is doing brilliantly and would be deserving of a place now, but let’s not pretend there were many, including me, who didn’t think he justified a start at Villa a while back. Seems a bit churlish to have a go at Southgate for this.

[Small Rodent]

The difference is…Ollie isn’t a guilty as charged player that has brought the game into disrepute.

[PeterWithesShin]

I said before that whether Toney should be picked because of that is another matter. I don't think he should but I reckon the FA are taking the easy option and will wait until after the season to ban him for the start of next season. If they ban him now they would have to deal with clubs saying "how come he could play against us and score, but then be banned when playing some of our relegation rivals".

But even then, it's only now that Ollie has played himself into contention, he had 1 league goal for most of the season leading up to the World Cup, and got a second just before the WC started which is why Wilson went and Ollie didn't. He didn't deserve an England spot back then. And then there's only been one England squad since then and Southgate went with the bloke with more league goals.

[Monty]

PWS, you're missing the point here I feel, which is that as we've nothing to whinge about with the Villa we have to find something else to grouse and bitch about. What else would we do? Spend time with our wives?

[Legion]

A factor in the improvement of Watkins has been the departure of Ings.

[Toronto Villa]

A factor in the improvement of Watkins has been the departure of Ings.

Very much so. And a dedication to the entire team playing a certain way which would and could not have happened with Ings. Ings was great when given opportunities in or around the box, but he was rarely if ever going to be the all round player Ollie was and certainly not what he has become.

[Risso]

A factor in the improvement of Watkins has been the departure of Ings.

I’m not sure how you can really say that with any certainty.

[Legion]

Ollie Watkins’ season stats prior to the appointment of Unai Emery:

12 matches
2 goals, 2 assists

Ollie Watkins’ season stats since the appointment of Unai Emery:

16 matches
10 goals, 3 assists

Now factor in the departure of Ings.

[eamonn]

PWS, you're missing the point here I feel, which is that as we've nothing to whinge about with the Villa we have to find something else to grouse and bitch about. What else would we do? Spend time with our wives?

Heh (#gregnash), we're not all married.

[The Edge]

It wasn't long ago that most on here didn't think he was good enough for the Villa side never would be, and we should have been playing a kid with virtually no experience instead of him and selling Watkins asap, now Southgate is a twat for not picking him for England at that time.

I was one of those who thought he would never be good enough to lead the line for AVFC. The main reason for me saying that was the amount of sitters I've seen him miss. He missed an absolute dolly against Chelsea. But then he goes and scores just after. I've never changed my mind so much about a Villa player. But I'm quite happy to eat every word as long as he keeps finding the net. Southgate is a useless manager and won't be picking Ollie any time soon.

[Martyn Smith]

Ollie Watkins’ season stats prior to the appointment of Unai Emery:

12 matches
2 goals, 2 assists

Ollie Watkins’ season stats since the appointment of Unai Emery:

16 matches
10 goals, 3 assists

Now factor in the departure of Ings.

He's playing as a no 9 rather than a no 8 as he did under Gerrard and before DI's departure. His creative stats have dropped a little but that is because he is no longer required to do so much of that work. His best usage has been correctly identified by UE and he is thriving because of it

[Villafirst]

We need to sign another top striker this summer. It's fortunate that Ollie has stayed fit since the end of the January window. I still think it's a gamble to only have one main option. Duran looks promising but he needs time.

[rob_bridge]

A factor in the improvement of Watkins has been the departure of Ings.

Definitely - we couldn't fit Ings in under 3 different managers. Not that he is a bad player, just I think he is a player of the noughties and the game has moved on.