Dwindling returns a problem for Ollie Watkins owners but favourable weekend fixture promises points

OLLIE WATKINS (£5.5m) scored the first of England’s eight unanswered goals during the international break but his domestic form remains a concern.

With an ownership of 17.6%, the Aston Villa striker is the fourth-most popular Dream Team asset in his position but his owners have a big decision to make ahead of Gameweek 12.

Watkins has mustered just six points (all appearance points) from his last three games at a time when the likes of Mohamed Salah (£7.3m), Dominic Solanke (£4.3m), Matheus Cunha (£4.5m) and Alexander Isak (£5.1m) have cashed in.

The 28-year-old’s downturn has coincided with a miserable run of results for Unai Emery’s side.

Villa’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield before the break was their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions having also lost to Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Club Brugge.

In fact, the Villains haven’t won since they beat Bologna 2-0 in Gameweek 8.

Watkins has been a top-tier Dream Team asset ever since Emery took charge at Villa Park and his return of 84 points from the first 11 Gameweeks of 2024/25 is perfectly respectable.

He’s scored five goals and provided three assists this term, averaging a goal involvement every 135.4 minutes.

However, it’s worth noting that Watkins has had to share more of his minutes with super sub Jhon Duran (£3m) this season.

Few Dream Team bosses would doubt the overall quality of the Three Lions forward but his dwindling returns are a significant concern – he’s not registered a shot on target since Villa drew with Bournemouth in Gameweek 9.

Only two players were transferred out of more teams ahead of Gameweek 11 and gaffers who remained loyal to Watkins will be tempted to follow suit before Gameweek 12’s deadline (11am on Saturday).

But it’s far from an easy decision as Villa are set to host Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Eagles are currently languishing 18th in the table having won just one of their 11 top flight games.

Oliver Glasner’s troops drew to fellow struggles Wolves in Gameweek 10 and lost to Fulham just prior to the international break.

Plus, Watkins has the benefit of a midweek fixture in Gameweek 12 in the form of Juventus – Villa are one of just seven teams set to pull double duty.

Watkins’ form indicates he’s a player to sell but his fixtures suggest he might be worth persevering with for another Gameweek at least.

That being said, at £5.5m he’s the third-most expensive forward in the game – only Erling Haaland (£8.6m) and Salah cost more at the time of writing – and his backers may feel the budget is better invested elsewhere.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk