Former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant has hailed Aston Villa's decisive stance in blocking a big-money move for star striker Ollie Watkins, labelling it a pivotal moment that proves the club's serious ambitions.
Villa's defiant transfer stance pays dividends
The ex-Premier League player believes Villa were 100% correct to reject a £45 million offer from Arsenal for the England international last January. Pennant argues that selling your top scorer is a mistake that has derailed other clubs' progress in the past.
"You can’t start selling your top striker and expect to challenge for the Champions League and even the Premier League," Pennant told BirminghamLive, via Wildz Online Casino. "This is a mistake the likes of Villa and other clubs have done in the past and come unstuck."
He added that the decision to keep Watkins sent a clear message. "This proves why teams like Aston Villa, who have big ambitions, have to keep hold of their key players, especially strikers, who are so hard to come by."
Watkins vs. Gyokeres: The Premier League experience factor
Pennant also weighed in on the hypothetical scenario of Watkins moving to the Emirates, suggesting the Villa man would have been a more natural fit for Mikel Arteta's side than their eventual signing, Viktor Gyokeres.
"If, hypothetically, Watkins had moved to Arsenal, then yes, I think he would have been a better fit," Pennant stated. His reasoning centred on Watkins' proven Premier League experience, arguing he would have needed no adaptation period.
However, Pennant was quick to clarify he does not believe Arsenal erred in signing Gyokeres from Sporting CP. He pointed to the significant step up from the Portuguese league, citing Darwin Nunez's transition from Benfica to Liverpool as a comparable example.
"You look at Darwin Nunez who was scoring 30+ for Benfica and he came to Liverpool and wasn’t getting those numbers at all... it can take time to get up to speed with the Premier League," he explained.
Emery's vision aligns with club's ambition
The verdict from the pundit mirrors the public stance taken by Villa manager Unai Emery at the time of Arsenal's bid. The Spanish coach was adamant that January 2024 was not the right moment for Watkins to depart Villa Park.
Emery emphasised the need for professionalism and respect for the club's project. "We have to be good professionals, honest and respectful of the club. Of course some players can leave and improve, but you have to identify when is the moment to do it," Emery said last year.
He highlighted that Watkins was achieving his objectives at Villa, including securing his place in the England squad, and that the club's ambitions were aligned with the striker's continued presence.
While Watkins' form has dipped this season with just three goals in 24 games, his overall contribution under Emery has been monumental. His best campaign came in 2023/24, where his 19 goals and 15 assists in 37 games were instrumental in firing Villa to a Champions League qualification spot.
Pennant's analysis concludes that Villa's resolve in the transfer market is a key reason they remain in the thick of the Premier League title race this season, with Watkins' proven quality offering them a constant threat.
