Martin O’Neill believes Troy Deeney’s comments about Ollie Watkins have shown why the Watford legend didn’t last long at Forest Green.
Deeney was sacked as Forest Green Rovers manager in January after going six games without a win in charge of the League Two side.
He now appears as a pundit on talkSPORT and recently released a bold statement claiming Aston Villa star Watkins is “a winger trying to become a striker”.
After scoring his 19th Premier League goal of the season in his side’s 2-0 win at Arsenal, Watkins hit back at the former Birmingham City player on Instagram, saying: “Not bad for a winger trying to become attacker”.
And speaking of White and Jordan, former Villa manager O’Neill appeared to suggest that Deeney’s lack of success as a manager means he is unable to identify Watkins’ best role .
“Maybe that’s why Troy lasted six games as coach, maybe he just didn’t recognize a winger or a forward,” O’Neill said.
“Ollie Watkins has had a phenomenal season, absolutely phenomenal. I think it’s, what is it, 19 league goals, 20 league goals?
“I think the next few seasons will determine whether Ollie Watkins is the centre-forward that Aston Villa fans think he is at the moment, but he has been fantastic.”
O’Neill then added: “I think the manager [Unai Emery] helped him a lot, he told him not to run around a lot unnecessarily.
“Maybe that’s the point Troy was making, he’s often found himself on the wing when he shouldn’t have been. If he’s going to be a center forward, that’s where the goals are going to be scored.”
Forest Green’s decision to sack Deeney came just hours after the EFL handed him a four-match ban for inappropriate conduct and using abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official.
Club owner Dale Vince later told talkSPORT that the Watford legend’s post-match outburst after the defeat to Hartlepool was a factor in his decision.
Deeney’s assessment of Watkins came after he said he would prefer to start Brentford’s Ivan Toney rather than the Villa man for England if necessary.
His comments also came during the international break two weeks ago, but Watkins clearly hadn’t forgotten what he said.
The 28-year-old now has 26 goals in all competitions this season for Villa, his best goal tally for the club since his arrival in 2020.
Watkins’ goal against Arsenal sums up his quality – a perfectly executed chip on David Raya after beating Emile Smith Rowe.
His efforts have helped Villa move to fourth in the Premier League as they eye a return to the Champions League for the first time since 1983.
England boss Gareth Southgate could also reward him with a place in his Euro 2024 squad this summer, with Watkins coming at the end of an excellent season.
Martin O’Neill believes Troy Deeney’s comments about Ollie Watkins have shown why the Watford legend didn’t last long at Forest Green.
Deeney was sacked as Forest Green Rovers manager in January after going six games without a win in charge of the League Two side.
He now appears as a pundit on talkSPORT and recently released a bold statement claiming Aston Villa star Watkins is “a winger trying to become a striker”.
After scoring his 19th Premier League goal of the season in his side’s 2-0 win at Arsenal, Watkins hit back at the former Birmingham City player on Instagram, saying: “Not bad for a winger trying to become attacker”.
And speaking of White and Jordan, former Villa manager O’Neill appeared to suggest that Deeney’s lack of success as a manager means he is unable to identify Watkins’ best role .
“Maybe that’s why Troy lasted six games as coach, maybe he just didn’t recognize a winger or a forward,” O’Neill said.
“Ollie Watkins has had a phenomenal season, absolutely phenomenal. I think it’s, what is it, 19 league goals, 20 league goals?
“I think the next few seasons will determine whether Ollie Watkins is the centre-forward that Aston Villa fans think he is at the moment, but he has been fantastic.”
O’Neill then added: “I think the manager [Unai Emery] helped him a lot, he told him not to run around a lot unnecessarily.
“Maybe that’s the point Troy was making, he’s often found himself on the wing when he shouldn’t have been. If he’s going to be a center forward, that’s where the goals are going to be scored.”
Forest Green’s decision to sack Deeney came just hours after the EFL handed him a four-match ban for inappropriate conduct and using abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official.
Club owner Dale Vince later told talkSPORT that the Watford legend’s post-match outburst after the defeat to Hartlepool was a factor in his decision.
Deeney’s assessment of Watkins came after he said he would prefer to start Brentford’s Ivan Toney rather than the Villa man for England if necessary.
His comments also came during the international break two weeks ago, but Watkins clearly hadn’t forgotten what he said.
The 28-year-old now has 26 goals in all competitions this season for Villa, his best goal tally for the club since his arrival in 2020.
Watkins’ goal against Arsenal sums up his quality – a perfectly executed chip on David Raya after beating Emile Smith Rowe.
His efforts have helped Villa move to fourth in the Premier League as they eye a return to the Champions League for the first time since 1983.
England boss Gareth Southgate could also reward him with a place in his Euro 2024 squad this summer, with Watkins coming at the end of an excellent season.