Steven Gerrard compares Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to his prolific former Liverpool partner Fernando Torres
STEVEN GERRARD reckons Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s answer to Fernando Torres.
Gerrard says he is now seeing the best of the England striker, 26, and wants him and Danny Ings to make sure their partnership produces goals.
The Villa boss saw both players find the net in the 4-0 demolition of Southampton on Saturday.
Now he wants to carry that form to Leeds tonight and make it three Villa wins in a row for the first time this season.
Watkins ended a seven-game drought with two goals in as many games after being left out.
Gerrard sees similarities with his ex-Liverpool team-mate Torres.
He said: “I picture Ollie at his best when he’s really front-footed, aggressive with that bit between this teeth.
“He’s a lovely player on the eye with the goals he scores and his technical ability. He reminds me in a lot of ways of Fernando Torres. Ollie has that physical presence and build.
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“It was a case of refocusing Ollie. I took him out of the firing line.
“From that moment he seems to have got his aggression back in training, that glint back in his eye and that’s where we need him.
“When he’s in that groove he’s a real big asset for this team. But with Ollie and Danny Ings — let’s start building this relationship.
“I said ‘You two are the key to it. You have to believe in it and want to make it work yourselves’. The last couple of weeks they certainly have.”
Gerrard admits he will face stiff competition for on-loan Brazil and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho.
He added: “If you’d said to me that a lot of people would be looking at him on the back of his form for Aston Villa, I’d have taken that.
“We’ve got an option on Phil at the end of the season. We’ll make a decision when the time’s right.”
Talks have opened with Ashley Young, 36, over a new deal.
Gerrard said: “There have already been discussions. I’ve made it clear to Ash I want him to stay around.”
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