Ollie Watkins has given England manager Thomas Tuchel a timely reminder of his credentials ahead of the World Cup, netting two goals as Aston Villa brushed past Bologna 3-1 in the Europa League quarter-final first leg in Italy on Thursday night. The 30-year-old striker, who was controversially omitted from Tuchel’s 35-man squad in March after a scoring drought, has now found the net in four of his past five games 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’ return to form could be vital to England’s hopes of success in the global tournament.
The Path to Redemption Unfolds
Watkins’ omission from England’s March squad came as a bitter pill to swallow. The forward had managed just one goal in nine Premier League matches, prompting Tuchel to take the tough call to exclude him from the expanded 35-man group. Though the manager insisted the choice was tactical rather than a permanent rejection, the message was clear: Watkins had to regain his touch to stand any chance of travelling to North America. The striker, however, has shown characteristic determination, converting what appeared to be a setback into the spark behind a impressive resurgence.
Since that break in fixtures, Watkins has been remarkably unstoppable. His goal against West Ham came before the Bologna masterclass, and he has now struck four times in five matches across all competitions. Most impressively, he has netted three goals in three Europa League outings—matching his tally from his previous 24 outings in major European competitions. The timing could scarcely be more opportune, with Champions League qualification still achievable, a European final on the horizon, and the World Cup approaching on the horizon. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin noted 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 games in all competitions recently
- Three European goals in three successive outings
- Previously managed only one goal in nine league matches
- World Cup squad selection decision likely to arrive imminently
Tuchel’s Predicament and the Kane Problem
Thomas Tuchel confronts a significant problem as he gets ready for England for the World Cup in North America. The missing presence of Harry Kane over last month’s international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan laid bare a troubling fragility in the Three Lions’ attacking armoury. Kane, now 32 years old and England’s greatest goalscorer, remains the obvious first choice, but his advancing years and the demands of a demanding competition have obliged Tuchel to think about backup strategies. The manager’s limited alternatives at striker have been a cause of concern, with the squad lacking a genuine world-class backup option who can step seamlessly into Kane’s boots should injury or form desert the Bayern Munich striker.
Watkins’ exclusion from the March squad indicated Tuchel was still searching for answers to this puzzle. Yet the Villa forward’s blistering form in the past fortnight has significantly changed the equation. By netting two goals against Bologna and four goals across five matches overall, Watkins has thrust himself back into contention at precisely the moment when England’s manager needs reassurance about his options. Tuchel’s earlier comments about knowing Watkins “very well” now hold greater significance, suggesting the England boss may have been willing to give the striker time to rediscover his sharpness rather than dismiss him entirely.
Limited Choices at Striker
England’s striker position has been a ongoing issue under Tuchel’s time in charge. Whilst Kane remains an remarkable prospect and a seasoned international player, the lack of depth behind him presents a weakness that competing teams would be keen to exploit. The manager has tested multiple candidates, but none have clearly shown the performance levels needed at elite level. Watkins’ past challenges in the Premier League—managing just one goal in nine matches before his latest resurgence—had left Tuchel questioning whether the Aston Villa man possessed the reliability needed for tournament football on the world stage.
The rise of Watkins as a credible contender provides Tuchel with a more palatable solution. His Europa League performance has been exceptionally good, suggesting he performs well in demanding continental fixtures where composure and accurate finishing are essential. Should Kane suffer an injury or drop in form during the World Cup, possessing a forward of Watkins’ calibre on hand could prove the difference between advancement and exit. For Tuchel, this marks a significant step in addressing one of his most pressing squad issues.
Develop at the Ideal Moment
The timing of Watkins’ return to form could hardly be more fortuitous. After enduring a barren spell with just one goal in twelve appearances, the 30-year-old has rediscovered his sharpness at a point when both Aston Villa and England depend on him most urgently. With the World Cup merely eight weeks away and Villa pursuing continental honours alongside a challenge for Champions League qualification, Watkins has made himself as an indispensable figure. His two-goal display against Bologna represents far more than a standard Europa League win; it indicates to Tuchel that the striker has the character and ability to deliver when stakes are highest.
Pat Nevin’s assessment that “it’s good timing” captures the importance of Watkins’ present trajectory. The former Scotland winger recognised that multiple storylines align at season’s end, each offering Watkins an opportunity to establish his place in England’s World Cup plans. By performing consistently in European competition, where pressure mounts and room for error shrink considerably, Watkins has demonstrated exactly the composure that tournament play demands. His hunger and willingness to play additional minutes suggest a player operating at peak confidence, poised to take 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 scored twice in the Europa League quarter-final opening match versus Bologna in Italy
- His current form provides Tuchel a credible option to captain Harry Kane
- Europa League performances indicate Watkins thrives in high-pressure European fixtures
Expert Opinion and Next Steps
The general agreement amongst football analysts is that Watkins has seized a genuine 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 shift dramatically. Tuchel’s initial exclusion from the squad now appears increasingly pragmatic rather than definitive, a tactical decision 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 restored form.
Looking ahead, Watkins encounters an intriguing sequence of fixtures that will ultimately determine his World Cup fate. Aston Villa’s remaining domestic and European commitments offer multiple stages upon which he can audition for international selection. The return leg against Bologna next Thursday offers an immediate platform for sustained performance, whilst the broader context of Villa’s push for Champions League qualification creates real importance to every appearance. Should Watkins maintain his current trajectory through April and into May, Tuchel will find it difficult 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 demonstrated the synchronicity of Watkins’ moment exactly, noting that several competitions converge to establish an excellent stage for redemption. The experienced commentator highlighted that Watkins’ form and energy versus Bologna indicated a player rediscovering his finest level at precisely the moment when prominence matters most. Nevin’s remark about the “prospect of the number nine role waiting” emphasises how Kane’s age and Watkins’ recent form have combined to generate real doubt around England’s leading attacking choice for the World Cup.
Beyond Nevin’s observations, the broader analytical community has noted Watkins’ distinctive strength for European competition, where his direct running and precise conversion appear to flourish. His trio of strikes in three Europa League matches represents a scoring efficiency that stands in sharp opposition to his earlier struggles, suggesting he performs well to the demands and tactical intensity of continental football. This distinction could prove important for Tuchel, who must consider not merely league performance but specifically how players cope with the increased intensity of World Cup football.
The story progression of Watkins’ season—from peripheral player to World Cup prospect—exemplifies football’s capacity for rapid redemption. His willingness to demonstrate drive and dedication, paired with the manager’s implicit suggestion that absence was not permanent rather than permanent, creates an fascinating secondary storyline as the season approaches its finale. Should Watkins continue delivering goals in the European and domestic competitions, the conversation will naturally turn from whether he deserves selection to how Tuchel accommodates him alongside Kane in the tournament squad.