Aston Villa boss Dean Smith: Woodwork woe won't faze Ollie Watkins
Dean Smith is confident Ollie Watkins won’t get downhearted despite the Villa striker suffering more woodwork woe in Saturday’s derby draw with Wolves.
Watkins came close to netting a spectacular opener at Villa Park with a 25-yard strike which cannoned back off the bar.
It was the seventh time this season the £28million club record signing had hit the woodwork, more than any other player in the Premier League.
But Smith is adamant Watkins, who has scored 10 goals during an excellent debut top flight season, won’t be affected.
He said: “Ollie won’t get too anxious, it’s just one of those things that happens sometimes.
“It was a great effort on Saturday where its hit the crossbar. I’m certain it’s not going to worry him too much. When he’s not getting chances is when you start worrying.
“I think Ollie Watkins, whenever he walks off the pitch is always frustrated he hasn’t scored more goals. That’s the type of player he is and that’s the type of lad he is.
“But you’ve got to be in the right areas to go and hit the woodwork and he’s getting closer and closer. He’s in double figures already this season but for me he’s been a fantastic signing and he’ll just keep getting better.”
Villa expect to have Anwar El Ghazi back for Friday’s trip to Newcastle after the winger missed the derby with a toe injury.
Smith is also hopeful Jack Grealish could return to training this week, with the skipper having now missed the last four Premier League matches.
