Pardew pointed out that Watkins was left out of the team when Aston Villa played in the Champions League quarter-finals, despite being a key player in the team's success. This decision, combined with the arrival of a high-profile player on loan, may have damaged the relationship between Watkins and the club.

Pardew thinks that Watkins might be better off moving on, not just for his own career, but also for the good of the team. He believes that Watkins has the potential to be a top player, and that he might need to move to a bigger club to achieve his goals.

Aston Villa are reportedly looking to sign a new striker, with Brentford's Thiago being a potential target. Watkins, who has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, is likely to feature on the bench for the team's upcoming match against Brighton.

As Watkins approaches his 30th birthday and the January transfer window approaches, he has a lot to think about. Will he stay with Aston Villa and try to regain his form, or will he look to move to a new club to take his career to the next level?