Darren Bent has ‘no doubts’ Aston Villa signing Ollie Watkins will succeed in the Premier League

Add as preferred source on Google

Darren Bent has given a positive verdict on Ollie Watkins, after he completed his move on Wednesday from Brentford to Aston Villa.

The Midlands club have confirmed that they have signed the English forward on a five-year deal, with Sky Sports reporting that it’s a club-record fee of £28million that could rise to £33million with add-ons.

Watkins wasn’t quite able to get Championship club Brentford over the line for promotion last season, but he was outstanding for them with 26 goals across all competitions.

The 24-year-old is a central striker that has great pace, movement and composure in front of goal, which is what was missing at Villa Park last season.

He’s now set to get his first opportunity of Premier League football and he previously worked with Villa manager Dean Smith at Brentford.

Ex-Villa forward Bent predicted on Twitter that Watkins will have no problem replicating his goalscoring form from last season in the top-flight.

https://twitter.com/DarrenBent/status/1303648358498795522

TBR’s View:

Watkins certainly deserved a crack in England’s top division based off last year alone, but he’s been improving rapidly in the last couple of years at Brentford and it looks like he could be a brilliant signing for Villa.

There was a lack of clinical finishing in attack last season that meant they ended up in a tough relegation battle, but they have to be looking up the table this season and adding a natural goalscorer will help.

It’s understandable that there are doubts given his lack of experience, but so far in his career he’s made every step up with ease and Smith will believe he can do the same.