Aston Villa told to join Ivan Toney fight as he’s a ‘great’ option in order to ‘give Watkins a rest’

In order to “give Watkins a rest,” Micah Richards has advised Aston Villa to “get an experienced striker,” saying Ivan Toney “could be a great one.”

Villa is performing incredibly well under Unai Emery. They qualified for Europe after finishing seventh in the Premier League the previous year. As of right now, they are in third place, two points behind the top spot.

Many stars have advanced in rank after working with Emery. With eight assists and ten goals in all competitions so far this season, Ollie Watkins is well on his way to having his finest scoring season at Villa.

Richards feels the Villans need cover for the striker if he’s to get injured or just to give him a rest at times.

We previously discussed it, and you brought up Watkins. I know they have [Jhon] Duran as well, but if Watkins were to be hurt, I would go out and maybe find an experienced striker who could get them through till Watkins could have a break, Richards stated on The Rest Is Football.

He saw Toney, an in-demand Englishman, as a possible ideal fit for Villa.

“Ivan Toney has the potential to be a great one, but I believe he would prefer to start every game.”

His desire to start every game could not be an issue if Villa were able to get him, which is easier said than done considering Chelsea and Arsenal’s interest combined with an £80 million price tag.

This season, Emery has occasionally used a two-striker system, like as when Nicolo Zaniolo has started. As a result, Watkins and Toney might team up, which would undoubtedly result in a devastating striker duo.

A Danny Ings-type player, though obviously not him, would be a better fit, in Richards’ opinion, considering Villa sold him in January.

“So, it’s very difficult if you want to still play the same system to have someone who can come into the team, can do a very good

job, but is not expected to play every week and that’s why it’s a little bit difficult,” Richards added.

“You get them on loan, if they get Champions League, then they get a bumper contract at the end of it or a big bonus for getting them in the Champions League and then they can go back on loan from wherever they’ve come from.

“I wouldn’t go with Danny Ings, but I would go with someone in his mould.” Who would I go for, someone you know you can get like a younger Danny Ings? It’s not simple at all!

Given that Villa sold Ings, it’s possible that they won’t sign a player at his current career stage. Therefore, Villa will likely be searching for a striker with a larger profile if they decide to pursue one.

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