By Martin Graham
Thomas Tuchel may not have another one England game until the summer, but events in Europe on Thursday would have been heartening for him. The national team struggled to find the net without Harry Kane in recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, exposing the lack of reliable alternatives to the 32-year-old captain ahead of the upcoming World Cup in North America.
In this context, Ollie Watkins delivered a timely reminder of his qualities by scoring two goals Aston Villa’s 3-1 victory in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals against Bologna. Left out of Tuchel’s extended 35-man squad in March after a modest goalscoring run, Watkins responded emphatically on the pitch.
Tuchel had explained the omission by saying he already understood what the striker has to offer, but the decision still casts uncertainty over Watkins’ World Cup prospects. The striker, however, has responded in the best possible way, following a goal against West Ham with another decisive display in Italy.
Speaking after the win, Watkins made his mindset clear, highlighting his energy and desire as the season reaches its decisive phase. His performance backed up those words as he capitalized on an error to score early in the second half before adding a late goal to restore Villa’s two-goal cushion after Jonathan Rowe had briefly given the hosts hope.
The rise in form comes at a crucial time
Watkins’ recent run has seen him score four times in five games across the competition, a sharp improvement on just one goal in his previous 12 outings. His European return has also improved, matching his previous number in far fewer appearances.
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin highlighted the importance of the moment, pointing to the convergence of major opportunities: a potential role for England at the World Cup, the battle for Champions League qualification and the prospect of a European final. In his opinion, Watkins made the most of his time, taking chances effectively and making the most of the space he was given.
England’s recent experiments in Kane’s absence gave opportunities to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke, although neither managed to stand out. Watkins, who missed much of the qualifying campaign through injury, has had limited opportunities with Tuchel so far.
Despite this, former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes the striker is firmly back in the conversation. He pointed out that decisive contributions in high-level European matches inevitably attract attention, especially when other strikers have not fully convinced.
Competition intensifies as Villa pursues big targets
Support has also come from Villa’s ranks, with former midfielder Stiliyan Petrov underscoring Watkins’ habit of delivering when needed most. He suggested that, despite the scrutiny over his finishing, the striker always comes up with key chances.
For Watkins, the World Cup remains an obvious motivation, with expectations he must deliver when representing England. His latest performance, Petrov noted, is a step in the right direction in that regard.
As Villa approach the final stretch of the campaign, manager Unai Emery has highlighted the striker’s work ethic and importance to the team. While acknowledging that his finishing can fluctuate, Emery praised his overall contribution and commitment, describing him as a player who always fulfills his role.
With ambitions of silverware and a return to the Champions League still alive, Villa will rely heavily on Watkins to maintain their current form. His latest double not only strengthened his European position but also sent a clear message internationally.
