Ollie Watkins’ Resurgence: From England Omission to World Cup Contender

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins has made a compelling case for inclusion in England's World Cup squad, following a remarkable turnaround in form that has coincided with Aston Villa securing a Champions League spot for next season. Just two months ago, Watkins faced disappointment, being left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the March international break and struggling for goals. However, his recent performances, highlighted by a two-goal haul in a 4-2 victory over Liverpool, have reignited his international prospects.

Watkins' impressive resurgence has seen him outshine even captain Harry Kane in recent months, leading to calls from pundits and teammates for his definite inclusion in the World Cup squad. His captain, John McGinn, jokingly wished Watkins was Scottish but acknowledged the striker's incredible response to his March omission.

Key facts

A Fire in the Belly

The decision to exclude Watkins from the March international camp appears to have ignited a significant fire within the 28-year-old. He openly admitted that the omission served as motivation to prove his capabilities. Since that point, nine of his 12 Premier League goals this season have been scored, making him the most prolific player in the league during this period, ahead of Erling Haaland. Across all competitions, his tally since the March break stands at 11 goals, surpassing Harry Kane's 10 in the same timeframe.

His performance against Liverpool was a testament to his renewed confidence and sharpness, as he consistently exploited the Reds' high defensive line, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Watkins expressed a slight disappointment at not adding to his brace, having had a goal disallowed, but his relentless pursuit of goals showcased his determination.

World Cup Implications

With the World Cup in North America approaching, Watkins' current form makes it increasingly difficult for Tuchel to overlook him. While Harry Kane remains the undisputed first-choice striker, the battle for the backup position is intense. Ivan Toney, despite his prolific form for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, presents a challenge in direct comparison due to the differing league standards.

Among the other English contenders, Watkins' 19 goals in all competitions this season place him five ahead of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Welbeck. Lee Hendrie, a former Aston Villa midfielder, emphatically stated on Sky Sports that Watkins "has got to be on the plane," highlighting his relentless goal-scoring and the different dimension he offers compared to Kane.

Aston Villa's European Success

Watkins' individual brilliance has been a significant factor in Aston Villa's overall success this season. The victory over Liverpool not only secured a top-four finish and a coveted Champions League spot but also provided a significant boost ahead of their Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul. This marks a remarkable achievement for a club that had a slow start to the season, taking six matches to secure their first Premier League win.

Manager Unai Emery expressed immense pride in his team's accomplishment, emphasizing that achieving Champions League qualification was "amazing" and allows them to fully focus on the final. Villa's journey to the Europa League final presents an opportunity to win their first major trophy in 30 years, building on their single European Cup triumph in 1982. McGinn echoed Emery's sentiments, stressing the need for the team to remain focused despite being considered "slight favourites" for the upcoming final.

Fuente: BBC Sport Football RSS – https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq5pjqn4v0go?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss