Aston Villa are presented with a golden opportunity to strengthen their attacking line by signing a proven Premier League goalscorer as an alternative to Ollie Watkins, with Everton also showing interest in the potential transfer.
The Summer of the Striker
The 2025 summer transfer window was dominated by high-profile striker moves, with more than £350 million spent on attacking talent alone. Alexander Isak completed a British record transfer to Liverpool, while Benjamin Sesko joined Manchester United and Victor Gyokeres moved from Sporting to Arsenal. Newcastle United further intensified the competition by securing both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa in the final weeks of the window.
This unprecedented spending spree has set the stage for another active transfer period when the January window opens, with several clubs expected to continue bolstering their attacking options.
Villa's Striker Dilemma
For years, Aston Villa have relied heavily on the goal-scoring prowess of Ollie Watkins. The 29-year-old has delivered an impressive 88 goals in 239 appearances for the West Midlands club, achieving double figures in every season of his career. Beyond his scoring ability, Watkins has contributed 42 assists, demonstrating his well-rounded game and team-oriented approach.
However, concerns are growing at Villa Park as Watkins has managed just one goal in 16 appearances across all competitions this season. Since Jhon Duran's departure in January, the England international has shouldered the goal-scoring responsibility almost single-handedly, leading to fears of burnout affecting his performance levels.
The club's lack of a reliable alternative to Watkins represents a significant risk in their pursuit of Champions League football, especially given the demanding schedule of European competitions.
Ivan Toney: The Viable Solution
According to Sky Sports, former Brentford talisman Ivan Toney has emerged as a potential target for several Premier League clubs, including Everton. The 29-year-old currently playing for Al Ahli boasts an exceptional track record of 36 goals and 11 assists in 85 Premier League matches.
Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Toney has maintained his clinical finishing, registering 41 goals and eight assists in 59 appearances for the Jeddah-based club. His international experience includes seven England caps and involvement in the Euro 2024 campaign, where he made impactful contributions from the bench.
Toney's desire to represent England at the upcoming World Cup in North America could work in Villa's favour, as the striker understands he needs Premier League exposure to secure his international place. His playing style offers contrasting strengths to Watkins, with exceptional penalty-taking ability, aerial dominance, and poacher's instincts that could provide Villa with a different tactical dimension.
While financial considerations present a challenge due to Toney's significant wages in Saudi Arabia, his potential arrival could prove crucial in Villa's battle with Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Tottenham for those coveted Champions League positions.
