Ollie Watkins has offered England manager Thomas Tuchel a opportune reminder of his credentials ahead of the World Cup, scoring twice as Aston Villa overcame Bologna 3-1 in the Europa League last-eight first leg in Italy on Thursday night. The striker aged 30, who was controversially left out from Tuchel’s 35-man squad in March after a scoring drought, has now found the net in four of his last five matches across all competitions. With the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico just over two months away and Harry Kane’s backup options constrained, Watkins’ revival could prove essential to England’s hopes of success on the world stage.
The Journey of Redemption Begins
Watkins’ omission from England’s March squad came as a difficult blow. The forward had managed just one goal in nine Premier League matches, leading Tuchel to take the tough call to leave him out of the expanded 35-man group. Though the manager insisted the choice was tactical and not a permanent rejection, the message was unmistakable: Watkins had to rediscover his form to have any chance of boarding the plane to North America. The striker, however, has responded with characteristic determination, converting what seemed like a setback into the catalyst for a impressive resurgence.
Since that international window, Watkins has been remarkably unstoppable. His goal against West Ham came before the Bologna display of brilliance, and he has now scored four times in five games across all competitions. Most notably, he has netted three goals in three Europa League outings—matching his tally from his previous 24 appearances in major European competitions. The timing could scarcely be more opportune, with Champions League qualification still achievable, a European final beckoning, and the World Cup approaching on the horizon. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin observed that “it’s good timing, isn’t it?” as Watkins finds himself at the heart of several narratives that could define his season.
- Four goals in five matches in all competitions of late
- Three European goals in three consecutive outings
- Had managed only one goal in nine league matches
- World Cup squad selection decision likely approaching imminently
Tuchel’s Challenge and the Kane Problem
Thomas Tuchel faces a genuine headache as he readies England for the World Cup in North America. The absence of Harry Kane over last month’s friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan revealed a concerning vulnerability in the Three Lions’ offensive capabilities. Kane, now 32 years old and England’s greatest goalscorer, remains the clear number one, but his age and the demands of a intense World Cup have obliged Tuchel to think about backup strategies. The manager’s limited alternatives at front of attack have been a cause of concern, with the squad lacking a genuine world-class backup option who can smoothly fill Kane’s boots should injury or form abandon the Bayern Munich striker.
Watkins’ absence from the March squad indicated Tuchel was still searching for answers to this puzzle. Yet the Villa forward’s impressive performances in the past fortnight has significantly changed the equation. By netting two goals against Bologna and four goals across five matches overall, Watkins has forced his way back into the reckoning at exactly the time when England’s boss needs confidence in his options. Tuchel’s previous remarks about knowing Watkins “very well” now carry added weight, suggesting the England boss may have been willing to give the striker time to rediscover his sharpness rather than dismiss him entirely.
Few Alternatives at Striker
England’s striker position has been a ongoing issue under Tuchel’s management. Whilst Kane remains an remarkable prospect and a established international star, the limited options behind him establishes a gap that competing teams would eagerly capitalise on. The manager has tried out various alternatives, but none have definitively proven the consistency and quality required at the highest level. Watkins’ previous struggles in the Premier League—netting merely one goal in nine matches before his current upturn—had left Tuchel questioning whether the Aston Villa man possessed the reliability needed for tournament football on the world stage.
The arrival of Watkins as a genuine contender gives Tuchel with a more palatable solution. His Europa League record has been particularly impressive, suggesting he performs well in intense European fixtures where composure and accurate finishing are paramount. Should Kane sustain an injury or decline in performance during the World Cup, having a striker of Watkins’ quality at hand could prove the difference between advancement and exit. For Tuchel, this represents a significant development in solving one of his most urgent squad dilemmas.
Create at the Ideal Time
The timing of Watkins’ resurgence could hardly be better timed. After languishing in the wilderness with just one goal in twelve appearances, the 30-year-old has found his form at a moment when both Aston Villa and England depend on him most urgently. With the World Cup merely eight weeks away and Villa chasing European silverware alongside a bid for Champions League qualification, Watkins has established himself as an indispensable figure. His two-goal display against Bologna is much more than a routine Europa League victory; it indicates to Tuchel that the striker possesses the character and ability to perform under pressure.
Pat Nevin’s remark that “it’s good timing” captures the importance of Watkins’ ongoing path. The ex-Scotland winger acknowledged that multiple storylines align at the end of the season, each offering Watkins an chance to cement his position in England’s World Cup plans. By performing regularly in European competition, where pressure intensifies and room for error narrow dramatically, Watkins has shown exactly the composure that tournament play demands. His desire and readiness to take on extra minutes suggest a player performing at peak form, prepared to grasp any opportunities arise in the coming months.
| Period | Goal Tally |
|---|---|
| Previous 12 Premier League matches | 1 goal |
| Past 5 games (all competitions) | 4 goals |
| 3 Europa League appearances | 3 goals |
| Previous 24 European competitions | 3 goals |
- Watkins netted twice in Europa League quarter-final opening match versus Bologna in Italy
- His recent form provides Tuchel a credible option to captain Harry Kane
- Europa League performances indicate Watkins excels in demanding European fixtures
Expert Opinion and Next Steps
The consensus among football analysts is that Watkins has seized a real opportunity to change the narrative around his England prospects. His shift from being a fringe player to Europa League goalscorer within the space of a fortnight illustrates the volatility of form at the elite level, where confidence and momentum can change dramatically. Tuchel’s initial exclusion from the squad now appears increasingly pragmatic rather than definitive, a strategic choice intended to give Watkins with the opportunity to prove his worth through club football. The England manager’s guarded remarks about knowing “what he can bring to the group” suggest Watkins was never definitively ruled out, merely briefly set aside pending evidence of renewed sharpness.
Looking ahead, Watkins encounters an compelling array of fixtures that will ultimately define his World Cup fate. Aston Villa’s remaining domestic and European commitments offer multiple stages upon which he can audition for international selection. The second meeting with Bologna next Thursday provides immediate opportunity for prolonged excellence, whilst the broader context of Villa’s push for Champions League qualification adds genuine stakes to every appearance. Should Watkins sustain his present form through April and into May, Tuchel will struggle to justify excluding a striker displaying such outstanding form when the squad is finalised for the summer tournament in North America.
What Experts Believe
Pat Nevin’s analysis captured the alignment of Watkins’ opportunity exactly, noting that multiple competitions align to establish an ideal opportunity for recovery. The experienced commentator emphasised that Watkins’ pace and intensity in the Bologna match pointed to a forward finding again his best self at exactly the moment when profile counts most. Nevin’s point about the “prospect of the centre-forward position open” emphasises how Kane’s years and Watkins’ latest displays have combined to create true ambiguity around England’s leading attacking choice for the World Cup.
Beyond Nevin’s observations, the wider expert community has noted Watkins’ particular aptitude for European competition, where his penetrative movement and precise conversion appear to flourish. His three goals in three Europa League matches represents a scoring efficiency that stands in stark contrast to his previous difficulties, suggesting he responds positively to the demands and tactical intensity of continental football. This distinction could prove significant for Tuchel, who must consider not merely league performance but specifically how players cope with the heightened pressure of World Cup football.
The story progression of Watkins’ season—from peripheral player to tournament contender—exemplifies football’s capacity for quick resurgence. His commitment to displaying drive and dedication, alongside the manager’s tacit indication that exclusion was brief rather than permanent, creates an compelling narrative thread as the season reaches its conclusion. If Watkins keeps finding the net in the European and domestic competitions, the conversation will inevitably shift from whether he deserves selection to how Tuchel accommodates him with Kane in the tournament squad.