West Ham United vs Aston Villa: Tony Cottee makes Ollie Watkins admission as result predicted
Tony Cottee hopes that Ollie Watkins is not passed fit for Aston Villa in Sunday’s (17 March) Premier League clash with West Ham.
Watkins is a fitness doubt after limping off in the first half of Villa’s 4-0 win over Ajax in the Europa Conference League on Thursday (14 March).
Villa were on the end of a 4-0 loss themselves against Tottenham last time out in the league, but Cottee would happily accept a point.
“Tough game today against a good Villa team,” he posted on his personal Twitter account [17 March].
“Let’s hope that Ollie Watkins doesn’t play and Danny Ings gets his chance against his old club as I think he’ll score. I’ll take a 1-1 draw… COYI.”
Ollie Watkins selection decision to be made for Aston Villa v West Ham
Watkins has been in sensational form form Villa this season, having scored 16 goals and assisted 10 more in 28 Premier League appearances.
Even after picking up an injury against Ajax, he still went on to score with a brilliant header to make it 17 goals for the season in all competitions.
It goes without saying, then, that Villa will be a weaker side without Watkins leading their line, even if they do have some good back-up options.
As for West Ham, it may well be that Ings gets the chance to lead the line after impressing as a substitute against Burnley last weekend.
At the same time, the front four of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio tore Freiburg apart last time out.
Whoever gets the nod in attack, let’s just hope that United once again play on the front foot and really take the game to Villa.
In other West Ham news, Darren Bent has shared a David Moyes twist that may yet happen at London Stadium.
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