By Martin Graham
Thomas Tuchel may not have another England fixture until the summer, but events in Europe on Thursday would have been encouraging for him. The national side 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.
Against that backdrop, Ollie Watkins delivered a timely reminder of his qualities by scoring twice in Aston Villa’s 3-1 Europa League quarter-final first-leg victory over Bologna. Left out of Tuchel’s expanded 35-man squad in March after a modest scoring run, Watkins responded emphatically on the pitch.
Tuchel had explained the omission by saying he already understood what the forward offers, yet the decision still cast uncertainty over Watkins’ World Cup prospects. The striker, however, has answered in the best possible way, following up a goal against West Ham with another decisive display in Italy.
Speaking after the win, Watkins made clear his mindset, stressing his energy and desire as the season reaches its decisive phase. His performance backed up those words, as he capitalised 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.
Form surge arrives at a crucial moment
Watkins’ recent run has seen him score four times in five matches across competitions, a sharp improvement compared to a single goal in his previous 12 outings. His European return has also improved, matching his earlier tally in far fewer appearances.
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin highlighted the significance of the timing, noting the convergence of major opportunities: a potential England role at the World Cup, the battle for Champions League qualification, and the prospect of a European final. In his view, Watkins seized his moment, taking chances effectively and making the most of the space afforded to him.
England’s recent experiments in Kane’s absence saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke given opportunities, though neither managed to stand out. Watkins, who missed much of the qualifying campaign through injury, has had limited chances under Tuchel so far.
Despite that, former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes the striker has firmly re-entered the conversation. He pointed out that decisive contributions in high-level European matches inevitably attract attention, especially when other forwards have not fully convinced.
Competition intensifies as Villa chase big targets
Support has also come from within Villa’s ranks, with former midfielder Stiliyan Petrov underlining Watkins’ habit of delivering when needed most. He suggested that despite scrutiny over his finishing, the forward consistently rises to key occasions.
For Watkins, the World Cup remains an obvious motivation, with expectations that he must produce when representing England. His latest performance, Petrov noted, is a step in the right direction in that regard.
As Villa approaches a defining stretch of the campaign, manager Unai Emery emphasised 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 fulfils his role.
With ambitions of silverware and a return to the Champions League still alive, Villa will rely heavily on Watkins to maintain his current level. His latest brace not only strengthened their European position but also sent a clear message at the international level.