Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that his old side will struggle to replace Ollie Watkins if they sell him this summer.

Watkins only joined Villa from Brentford in the last summer transfer window, but there are already rumours about other clubs being interested in the 25-year-old striker.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on bringing in a new forward before next season and like the look of Watkins.

It is not hard to see why, with the England international managing to reach double figures for goals in his debut Premier League campaign.

Hendrie, though, has warned his former club about selling the player, believing that they would struggle to find an adequate replacement.

On Liverpool's reported interest in Watkins, the ex-Villa star told FFC:

"If you're going to start selling those players to the bigger clubs, how are you meant to compete? I get that you're possibly going to get £60m for someone, but then who do you go and buy that's going to replace Ollie Watkins?

"You've got to go and spend decent money on someone to go and bring him in and then it could possibly be a gamble."

Whether Watkins stays at Villa Park or not, it seems the Midlands club will be in the market for a new striker this summer.

The Telegraph reports that strengthening up front is a priority for Villa going into the 2021/22 campaign.