Alan Shearer now thinks £28m Aston Villa player could play for almost any side in the Premier League

Alan Shearer has now declared that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has the ability to start for almost any side in the Premier League.

Shearer was speaking alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast and the trio were complimenting Watkins.

The praise came off the back of Watkins’ display against Brighton Hove Albion on the weekend when he netted three goals and two assists.

Shearer also couldn’t help but picture the striker in context for England.

He said: “I do, I like him [Ollie Watkins], 85% of the clubs in the Premier League would love to have him in their team.

“I don’t think we’re blessed as a country at the minute with that many top class centre-forwards.”

Of course, some fans may even be scratching their heads over what teams Ollie Watkins wouldn’t start for.

It’s no slight on any player to suggest they might struggle at Manchester City, but it’s hard to think where else the striker would remain on the bench.

And although Shearer was praising Watkins this time, he could have easily been praising his teammate Jhon Duran.

Duran has been excellent at times for Villa this season and 19-year-old could be the perfect man to dovetail with England striker.

Unai Emery does now have a very healthy Villa squad, and Watkins has a strong platform to impress Southgate once again.

Watkins may have been disappointed to be overlooked for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah in the previous England squad.

But much like Shearer’s praise suggests, £28m Watkins is right back at the top of his game at Villa right now.