Aston Villa

Aston Villa: Ashley Preece makes claim about potential of further summer business

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Journalist Ashley Preece has had his say on the likelihood of Aston Villa signing a striker in this summer’s transfer window.

As of right now, Steven Gerrard’s main two options are Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins. Ings finished on seven goals in all competitions last season, whilst Watkins managed 11 goals last term in a campaign which saw neither forward hit incredible heights.

Of course, Villa have also got Archer to rely on next season, handing them three different options to call upon, therefore making a new arrival fairly needless. If all three can hit the ground running in the coming campaign, then Gerrard will have himself some much-needed goalscoring depth to his squad.

Despite the fairly average numbers of the experienced forward duo last season, Preece believes that Gerrard will rely on them and youngster Archer next season instead of bringing another striker in.

The journalist said on the Claret & Blue podcast: “I think that’ll be the case, I think they’ll have the three [strikers] that they’ve got at the moment.”

TIF Thoughts on Aston Villa…

Watkins, in particular, will hope to hit the 15-goal mark at a minimum next season. In his debut Villa campaign of 2020/21, the former Brentford man managed 16 goals and five assists in all competitions, including a hat-trick in a 7-2 thrashing of Liverpool. That’s the level we believe he needs to be at next season if he wants to claim a long-term starting place in Gerrard’s side.

With such little time until the Premier League season kicks off, Gerrard does not have long to find his best side, with choosing his preferred striker one of the more difficult decisions.

And he may yet risk the wrath of the Villa faithful if he gets the call wrong, as the club will surely be less likely to succeed this coming term without a functioning strikeforce, while Gerrard keeping his faith in the existing options that got them to 14th place last term hardly appears to be the safe option.

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