SMITH EYEING OLLIE RETURN

2021-08-17 - BY JAMES NURSEY

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith is hoping Ollie Watkins will face Newcastle on Saturday.

The striker was Villa’s leading scorer in the Premier League last season with 14 goals.

But he missed their opening 3-2 loss against promoted Watford with a bruised knee.

And Smith said: “I’m hopeful Ollie will be back for Newcastle.

“He naturally plays with an intensity and stretches the line really well for us.”

In Watkins’ absence, Villa trailed 3-0 to Watford before John McGinn and summer signing Danny Ings reduced the deficit.

And Ings admitted: “We need to improve on what we did and I’m sure we will.”