Agbonlahor urges Dean Smith to spend big to bring £40m-rated striker to Villa

Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor reveals a Villans transfer for Ivan Toney would help Ollie Watkins to prosper once more.

Watkins scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season and assisted a further four. Though he is yet to continue that form this season, bagging just once in five games.

Gabby Agbonlahor feels that Ivan Toney would be a good strike partner for Watkins, despite the relationship between the Villa number 11 and summer signing Danny Ings.

The pair have played together for most of the season, since Watkins’ return to the side. With gaffer Dean Smith preferring a 3-5-2 formation this season to accommodate two strikers.

Agbonlahor revealed big hopes for Toney, though, and picked out Villa as a suitable destination.

“I think he’s got what it takes to be in a team that’s fighting for Europe,” he said via TalkSPORT.

“Even somewhere like Villa as a target man, playing with Watkins.”

Watkins and Toney have both starred in a Brentford shirt, with 25 and 31 being their respective best goalscoring returns in the Championship season.

Toney has even gotten off to a good start in the Premier League. Brentford sit in seventh place, and the striker has contributed to four goals already in seven games.

Spurs joined by Arsenal in pursuit of Ollie Watkins

Spurs are said to be joined by north London rivals Arsenal in their pursuit of Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, with more updates on Nuno Espirito Santo and Italy striker Andrea Belotti.

A partnership between Watkins and Toney could certainly be interesting, as both are proving themselves at the top level. Furthermore, Watkins has scored in an England shirt, and made his return to the national team recently.

However, Villa’s current partnership of Watkins and Ings seems to be working well at the moment. That would be broken up if Villa were to make a move for Toney, who is valued around £29million currently.

Villa target big January moves

Though Manchester United are looking to tie Jesse Lingard down to a new deal, the forward has made it no secret he wants regular football.

As such, he could be interested in a move away from Old Trafford, and Villa are one team targeting the 28-year-old.

Should Lingard not sign a new contract, he would surely be a cheap acquisition in January.

If not, he would go for free in the summer, when his contract at United runs out.

Villa are among a number of teams vying for Lingard’s signature should he become available.

Liverpool and Sunderland among best picks as top four English leagues take shape