Ollie Watkins has hit back at Troy Deeney on Instagram, after the ex-Birmingham City striker claimed the Aston Villa star was 'a winger trying to be a striker'.
It came after Watkins scored his 19th Premier League goal of the season - 26th in all competitions - to help Unai Emery's side tighten their grip on fourth place with a 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The 28-year-old has been in red hot form this season, rising up the scoring charts to become Villa's top scorer, and equal Christian Benteke's record to become the club's joint-top leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
Much debate has been circling over who out of Watkins, Dominic Solanke or Ivan Toney should be picked for this summer's European Championships. And Deeney claimed Gareth Southgate should give the nod to the Brentford striker over the Villa forward.
'With Ollie, this is going to sound negative but I promise you it is not, he is a winger trying to be a striker,' he said to talkSPORT last week.
'That's just who he is. He is very good at being a striker, but when Ivan stepped up and took that penalty [versus Belgium] did you think he was going to miss? I didn't.
'Whenever Ollie runs through one-vs-one during many games this season, I'm still not convinced he is going to score.
'I think he will score eventually if you give him three or four shots a game. Ivan just has that borderline arrogance about him that makes me go: 'Right, stick Ivan in there.''
But it appears Watkins hadn't quickly forgotten Deeney's comments and after sensationally dinking the ball over David Raya to score a sublime goal against Arsenal, bit back at the ex-Birmingham City forward.
He posted a picture of himself shushing the crowd on his Instagram story after scoring his goal with the caption Instagram: 'Not bad for a winger trying to be a striker.'
One fan reposted the picture on Twitter, writing: 'Ollie woke up and chose violence.'
While Deeney was particularly scathing of Watkins' performances this season, the Villa forward's team-mate, Emiliano Martinez lumped praise on the Euros hopeful after the match, claiming he should be up for a Player of the Season nomination.
'He should be,' he said when asked if Watkins is in the race for the Golden Boot award - with the Villa forward sitting second place, only one goal behind Erling Haaland.
'I think Ollie should win player of the season,' added Martinez.
'When you play for a 'big six' side, you get more credit but Ollie has scored 19 goals with the chances he's got.'
JallowThierno
0
Why comment this long?
No offense mate, juste trying to say it would be much better if it was a smaller one
Ubong12
0
Why comment this long?
Why bothered about it?? It's my choice and phone
AbiolaEmmanuel23
0
At this point we ought to have known our starting and winning team now; HAVERTZ just always start up front (if he is to start a match) HE IS SO EFFECTIVE in the Front three and not the middle three Trossard is good we all know but we should know now that we get the best of him when he comes in and not really when he starts a game; Our LB position should be rotated between Tomiyasu & Kiwior until TIMBER who is our bonafide LB returns (Zinny came only come in if We're sitting in a comfortable position of winning or if the opposition sits too deep) RICE - JOGINHO - ODEGAARD are out midfield trio for now (Partey comes in early 2nd half) WHITE shouldn't make way for no reason except he's injured; he is our most reliable RB for now; Our front Trio should be MATINELLI - HAVERTZ - SAKA THEN Trossard and Jesus comes in for 2nd half and finally , TIMBER needs to be this team now; WE need TIMBER, let every rehabilitations be fast-tracked, we NEED TIMBER back to our LB This are our winning team for now. I don't know why Arteta toiled with it; it's annoying because We fans need this trophy more, it's 5yrs on since he been appointed , we need something, i still believe in him 💯💪🏽♥️ i trust my Gunners
[image]
Think you have a lot of confession to make
JallowThierno
0
At this point we ought to have known our starting and winning team now; HAVERTZ just always start up front (if he is to start a match) HE IS SO EFFECTIVE in the Front three and not the middle three Trossard is good we all know but we should know now that we get the best of him when he comes in and not really when he starts a game; Our LB position should be rotated between Tomiyasu & Kiwior until TIMBER who is our bonafide LB returns (Zinny came only come in if We're sitting in a comfortable position of winning or if the opposition sits too deep) RICE - JOGINHO - ODEGAARD are out midfield trio for now (Partey comes in early 2nd half) WHITE shouldn't make way for no reason except he's injured; he is our most reliable RB for now; Our front Trio should be MATINELLI - HAVERTZ - SAKA THEN Trossard and Jesus comes in for 2nd half and finally , TIMBER needs to be this team now; WE need TIMBER, let every rehabilitations be fast-tracked, we NEED TIMBER back to our LB This are our winning team for now. I don't know why Arteta toiled with it; it's annoying because We fans need this trophy more, it's 5yrs on since he been appointed , we need something, i still believe in him 💯💪🏽♥️ i trust my Gunners
[image]
Why comment this long?
Ubong12
0
At this point we ought to have known our starting and winning team now; HAVERTZ just always start up front (if he is to start a match) HE IS SO EFFECTIVE in the Front three and not the middle three Trossard is good we all know but we should know now that we get the best of him when he comes in and not really when he starts a game; Our LB position should be rotated between Tomiyasu & Kiwior until TIMBER who is our bonafide LB returns (Zinny came only come in if We're sitting in a comfortable position of winning or if the opposition sits too deep) RICE - JOGINHO - ODEGAARD are out midfield trio for now (Partey comes in early 2nd half) WHITE shouldn't make way for no reason except he's injured; he is our most reliable RB for now; Our front Trio should be MATINELLI - HAVERTZ - SAKA THEN Trossard and Jesus comes in for 2nd half and finally , TIMBER needs to be this team now; WE need TIMBER, let every rehabilitations be fast-tracked, we NEED TIMBER back to our LB This are our winning team for now. I don't know why Arteta toiled with it; it's annoying because We fans need this trophy more, it's 5yrs on since he been appointed , we need something, i still believe in him 💯💪🏽♥️ i trust my Gunners
ChaoCheeTot
0
Watkins right to make mouth, Arsenal change the team that should had thrashed them 6-0. Arteta taking us from a completely dominant team to shabbles at this stage of the season...... disbelieve
Bottlers will always be bottlers... [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
bomberman88
3
Deeney is a defend trying to be a striker
Blaqpablo
0
Watkins right to make mouth, Arsenal change the team that should had thrashed them 6-0. Arteta taking us from a completely dominant team to shabbles at this stage of the season...... disbelieve
change those where arsenal first team.
malablata
2
Watkins right to make mouth, Arsenal change the team that should had thrashed them 6-0. Arteta taking us from a completely dominant team to shabbles at this stage of the season...... disbelieve
Fiyadkmoty
0
Who’s the goat of football mumu man
biscmnouz
5
but the GOAT OF football was a winger before he became a natural centre forward....and you what you been a winger trying to becomes a striker gives u that edge in a team over a dead centre forward/no.9.....