Kieran Tripper says one Aston Villa player has been ‘on fire’ this season.
Newcastle United captain Kieran Trippier has lauded Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, claiming his England teammate has been ‘on fire’ this season.
Ollie Watkins is currently enjoying his best Premier League campaign to date at Villa Park.
The Englishman has netted 16 times and provided 10 assists in the league, with Aston Villa firmly on track for a top-four finish.
After Newcastle United’s surprise fourth-placed finish last term, Unai Emery is aiming to achieve the same feat as the Magpies.
And a man who played a key role in Newcastle’s success last term, Kieran Trippier, has singled out Villa’s talisman Watkins for praise.
Trippier impressed with Watkins this season,
Speaking to the Football Writers’ Association after scooping the North East FWA Player of the Year award, Trippier discussed England’s attacking options.
“You see the players that we have in the squad, we are scoring from all over the pitch, we are not just relying on Harry,” the Newcastle skipper said.
“You see the stats that Ollie Watkins for example [has been getting], he’s on fire this season, so we have a really good squad.”
This has comfortably been Watkins’ best season to date with Villa and he looks set to be named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s Euros.
Of course, Harry Kane will undoubtedly be first-choice but Watkins will provide Southgate with real quality from the bench.
The 28-year-old has thrived under Emery’s guidance and seems to have matured into a very capable finisher.
With 21 goals in all competitions this term, you’d imagine that Watkins will break the 30-goal mark come May.
Villa remain in the Europa League and many have them as favourites to secure Champions League qualification.
While Emery has managed to get the best out of a host of current Villa players, Watkins is arguably their standout player right now.
