Alan Shearer believes Aston Villa will need reinforcements in January to be regarded as genuine Premier League title contenders.
Villa are enjoying a sensational season under Unai Emery. The West Midlands club are third in the Premier League table, just one point behind leaders Arsenal. They are also the favourites to win the Europa Conference League after reaching the last 16.
Much of Villa's success is down to star striker Ollie Watkins, who has bagged nine Premier League goals this season. Only Erling Haaland (14), Mohamed Salah (11), Jarrod Bowen (10) and Son Heung-min (10) have found the net more frequently in England's top tier.
Watkins, 27, scored Villa's winner at his former club Brentford on Sunday and was involved in a row with a fan who was 'abusing him all game'. Villa have come out in support of Watkins, who insists he still 'loves the Bees after his three-year spell there.
Shearer is worried that Villa are too reliant on Watkins. He's urged Emery to act in the transfer window to ensure they have enough depth. If Villa beat Sheffield United on Friday and Arsenal draw with Liverpool on Saturday, Emery's side will be top at Christmas.
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"My biggest concern with their squad would be their depth in forward positions, particularly as back-up to their leading scorer Ollie Watkins, who has started all 17 of their league games so far," said Newcastle legend Shearer in his column for BBC Sport.
"Watkins is such an integral part of what they do, and I am not sure how they would cope without him... They will also have the chance to bring in some reinforcements when the January transfer window opens, and it is going to be interesting to see what happens then."
Shearer has praised Villa for doing a "good job of keeping most of their key players fit so far". Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are both nursing serious knee injuries and it's unclear when they will return to fitness, while Bertrand Traore has a muscle complaint.
In regards to Sunday's fiery game, Villa won 2-1 thanks to Watkins' late winner. Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring just before half-time, but Ben Mee's red card in the 71st minute allowed Villa back into the game. Alex Moreno and Watkins then scored.
Watkins was involved in a row with a Brentford fan on Sunday (PA)Do you agree with Alan Shearer? Let us know in the comments below!
Boubacar Kamara was sent off for Villa in added-time, as tensions boiled over. In total, 10 players were booked and two were sent off at the Gtech Community Stadium. Emery, who was also booked, will speak to his players about their conduct.
"It was a bit of a feisty game, it all spurred from my celebration but that’s not down to a lack of respect for the fans," explained Watkins after the game. "I love the club, the players and staff, I’ve not got a bad word to say against them.
"But there was one person who was abusing me all game, the celebration wasn’t to anyone else but it was directed directly at him. (Frank) asked me why I had celebrated like that, I’m still on texting terms with him but it’s because of that reason.
"I feel like I’ve done so much for the club and they’ve done so much for me, football’s football and you can have a bit of banter but not when it’s personal. If the club don’t believe me it’s up to them - but I’ve explained it to Thomas and he knows I wouldn’t do that for no reason. It agitated me and that’s what happened."
Villa released a statement shortly Watkins' post-match interview. It read: "Aston Villa FC wants to express its support for Ollie Watkins and with the utmost respect for the big majority of Brentford fans and for the club, we ask the authorities to investigate this incident to find this individual. Zero tolerance to abuse in football."
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