Tony Cascarino names his Premier League Player of the Year so far and it's not Phil Foden

Despite praising Phil Foden as a “complete player”, Tony Cascarino says another Premier League star is ahead of him in the Player of the Year category..

Instead, the talkSPORT presenter backed a player from one of his former teams. Aston Villaas the best player in the top category this season – Olivia Watkins.

Foden has been a key man for Manchester City this season, as they aim to win a third consecutive Premier League title and defend their Champions League crown.

He has already played 40 games in all competitions, has only been absent from three games in the entire campaign and has a record of 18 goals and ten assists.

His electric form bodes well for England ahead of Euro 2024 this summer, with the 23-year-old Stockport star demonstrating his versatility with excellent performances in midfield and on the front line.

But Watkins has almost single-handedly helped Aston Villa break the hegemony of the Premier League's top four, with Unai Emery's men a realistic contender for a Champions League place.

The striker has shone with 21 goals in all competitions, but his league record of 16 goals and ten assists puts him at the top of the top flight in direct contributions to goals so far this season.

Liverpool Mohamed Salah is the next best in that ranking with 24, with Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka They follow with 23 each, while Foden's league record is 19 goals and assists combined.

Foden has received information from several experts, including manchester united legend Rio Ferdinand as the number one contender for the Player of the Year award but, despite his praise for the Manchester City ace, Cascarino insists Watkins is more deserving.

“Phil Foden is a complete player now… but I still wouldn't pick him number one for Player of the Year,” said the Weekend sports breakfast host.

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“I think there are others ahead of him, but he has grown and now has an absolutely secure position in that Man City team.

“Phil has it all and he always surprises me how he takes the ball, how he controls it from the air, his feet sometimes look like arms because of the way he controls the ball.

“And his energy, if you look Phil Foden, almost covers every blade of grass when playing. He's everywhere, he chases, he relentlessly comes back to help players, he does it brilliantly, and that's not counting all the brilliant things he does technically throughout the game.

“But Ollie Watkins, I think so far has been the standout player in the Premier League this season.

“He has contributed a lot to Aston Villa this year with goals and assists, and Villa are fourth at the moment because he has played a vital role.

“Of course, there are other candidates. Virgil van Dijk has returned to his best level in Liverpoolhas been excellent for them, obviously Foden is another and you can certainly defend two or three of the Arsenal players too: William Saliba has been absolutely sensational.

“But I would still put Ollie at the top because Villa weren't even close to being in the top four just over a year ago and his contribution has been huge.”

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Time to drive Host and former England striker Darren Bent agrees.

The Premier League 100 club member said he would also name Watkins Player of the Year if the season ended now, highlighting his top-four impact pushing Villa this season.

“It would definitely be mine, I think it was exceptional,” Bent said.

“The goals he has, the assists too, I think he has been dangerous and he seems to be getting better and better.

“His record of 16 league goals and ten assists is insane, and Villa are in the top four – he would definitely be my player of the year.”