Aston Villa given £100million Ollie Watkins warning

The England international has started just two of Villa’s last eight matches and his future is the subject of increasing speculation as the summer approaches, with Arsenal having failed in a bid to sign him in January.

Dublin, who scored 59 goals in 189 appearances for Villa between 1998 and 2005, believes the club should be desperate to keep a striker he rates among “the best in the business” and reckons it would cost a huge amount to buy a player of the same calibre.

Watkins is on course to be Villa’s top scorer for the fifth straight season and is now level with Gabriel Agbonlahor as the club’s joint top scorer in the Premier League.  

But boss Unai Emery has preferred to start loanee Marcus Rashford up front in most of the club’s recent matches, including both legs of the Champions League quarter-final with Paris Saint-Germain.

Asked about Watkins’ future by betting site OLBG.com, Dublin said: “Keep him, don't let him go. Keep him, he’s too good!

“One of the best in the business. Keep him. I can't say any more than that. 

“Ollie's got better with age, he's got more mature, his runs are better, he's stronger. 

“His link up play is good. I find it hard to fault him. 

“He could’ve had a hat trick at the weekend with his hitting the crossbar and his header hitting the post.

“I don't think you can afford to let Ollie go because in order to replace Ollie, you'll be looking for another player like Ollie.

“It sounds stupid, but that's going to cost you a hundred million. Keep Ollie Watkins for as long as possible.”

Watkins, who has made clear in public his frustration at being on the bench, this week outlined his desire to help the club end its 29-year wait for silverware, heading into Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace.

Dublin is tipping Villa to get the better of the better of the Eagles at Wembley. The 56-year-old scored the winning penalty when Villa beat Bolton in a semi-final shoot-out 25 years ago. He then started the 1-0 final defeat to Chelsea, the last FA Cup final played at the old Wembley stadium.

“I'd love to see Villa win it,” said Dublin. “I really would love to see Villa win it. For the fans.

“I played in the last FA Cup final at the old Wembley against Chelsea for Villa. 

“I mean it was a hopeless game. We were hopeless, they were hopeless, they nicked it and Roberto Di Matteo scored the only goal.

“He was my neighbour at the time in Leamington Spa. He rubbed it in slightly, don't you worry about that.

“It's something the fans deserve. They've got so close so many times, so I'll back Villa on Saturday to win against Crystal Palace.

“I think if Villa's A game turns up and Palace's A game turns up, I think Villa's A game is better. 

“I'm at the game myself, I'm doing it for radio and I believe that Villa will get the win and go through”.