Nigel Reo-Coker shares what he’s noticed at Aston Villa that could cause ‘serious problems’

After an incredible season, Aston Villa is excited to play in the Champions League the following year.

Tottenham has been unable to overtake Villa thanks to Unai Emery’s exceptional squad management, which has propelled the team into the top four of the Premier League.
But before Emery arrived at B6, one of the key transactions that has enabled the Villans to qualify for the Champions League was completed.
Reunited with Dean Smith, Ollie Watkins was acquired by the Villans in 2020 for a club record £28 million from Brentford.

Despite Smith’s departure from the Villa head coach position in 2021, Watkins has continued to excel in the claret and blue uniform, leading to an incredible 2023–24 season.

The 28-year-old has contributed 13 assists and 19 goals in 20 appearance.

BBC Sport pundit and former Villa captain Nigel Reo-Coker says the Villans could have “serious problems” as it stands if Watkins were to get injured.

What has Nigel Reo-Coker said about Aston Villa and Ollie Watkins?

“My biggest worry for me is Ollie Watkins,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday.

“I always felt that if they were going to finish in the top four, Ollie Watkins will be the one you don’t want to get injured. Because if he gets injured, you are going to have some serious problems.

“Like Jhon Duran has come in, the young Colombian, he has done well, but for him to be playing week in week out consistently, I don’t think he is quite ready.

is playing Champions League, then you have got someone as good who can get you goals, who you can rely on for Premier League games, but he was the biggest worry for me.”

Aston Villa should be on the case in the summer transfer window

Almost everything that Villa’s hierarchy and Emery have done since the Spaniard arrived at B6 has turned to gold.

Having now secured a Champions League spot, there’s no doubt that the club will be aware that they’ll need to improve their strength in depth.

After all, they’ll have seen how Newcastle have fared this season after reaching the Champions League. Their squad was stretched to the limit and it had an impact on their league form.

Villa will almost certainly be on the case in the summer transfer window.