AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola drew a comparison between his side’s talisman Dominic Solanke and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins after the two sides met.
Although Solanke was the only striker of the pair to score in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Cherries, Watkins proved too much to handle for the away side at Villa Park, setting up two goals for his teammates.
Both forwards are enjoying career-best seasons, Solanke’s penalty against Villa taking his Premier League tally to 18 whilst Watkins has provided 19 goals and 12 assists for his team.
But Basque boss Andoni Iraola believes that the duo bring much more to their respective teams aside from just goals and assists, highlighting Solanke and Watkins’ qualities off the ball.
Iraola explained: “He’s a really amazing player. He's an amazing player.
“It's a little bit like Dom with us – he’s not just about the goals.
“He scores a lot of goals, but he gives them a lot.
“He brings the centre backs out, attacks the spaces.
“He's very good at pressing.
“He created a lot (on Sunday).
“I think Zaba (Illia Zabarnyi) was covering him on that side, in this space that they create with the winger coming inside, and they leave the space for Ollie Watkins.
“I think he was dealing with him quite well. But even then, with this kind of high level for me of defence, from Zaba, he finds a way to create things.
“He didn’t score, but probably he deserved to because he was really good - two assists.”
Both Solanke and Watkins have been in the discussion surrounding call-ups to the England team, with the latter now an entrenched member of Gareth Southgate’s squad.
LONG READ | AFC Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke should be in England contention
With Watkins enjoying a fruitful campaign and Villa in the driving seat for a spot in next season’s Champions League, some are arguing that the former Exeter City frontman is deserving of the Premier League’s player of the season award.
“I think it's difficult to say he's the best player, but he has been amazing all season,” diplomatically restarted Iraola.
“Not only looking at the numbers, it's about what he gives the team. He's, very, very complete.
“He's very good out of position, in position, playing, facing his goal.
“He doesn't lose balls. He can attack spaces. He is very complete.
“I compare a little bit like Dom with us, what they give us. The goals, the numbers, but they give a lot more. And I'm sure if you ask Unai, he will have the same opinion.”
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