Aston Villa ready opening offer for Championship ace Watkins

Aston Villa are ready to step up their pursuit in Brentford striker Ollie Watkins with an opening bid, claims Sky Sports.

Brentford are resigned to losing Watkins this summer after losing the Championship play-off final to Fulham at the start of the month.

Defeat to Fulham reportedly activated a £18m buy-out clause in Watkins' contract but Brentford have played that down.

The Bees are instead holding out for £25m for the 24-year-old, a figure that has priced Sheffield United out of the running.

Dean Smith is desperate to sign a new striker for next season following Wesley's long-term injury and Mbwana Samatta's woes.

Smith worked with Watkins during his time as Brentford manager and the striker reportedly favours a reunion with the Villa boss.

Watkins remarkably only missed 10 minutes of Championship football last season and finished the 2019/20 campaign as the joint top-scorer in the division with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic (26).