Ollie Watkins has given England manager Thomas Tuchel a well-timed reminder of his credentials ahead of the World Cup, bagging a brace as Aston Villa overcame Bologna 3-1 in the Europa League quarter-final first leg in Italy on Thursday night. The striker aged 30, who was controversially omitted from Tuchel’s 35-man squad in March after a scoring drought, has now struck in four of his last five matches across all competitions. With the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico approaching in just over two months and Harry Kane’s backup options limited, Watkins’ return to form could prove essential to England’s hopes of success on the world stage.
The Redemption Arc Begins
Watkins’ omission from England’s March squad proved to be 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 leave him out of the expanded 35-man group. Though the manager insisted the choice was tactical rather than a permanent rejection, the message was clear: Watkins needed to regain his touch to stand any chance of boarding the plane to North America. The striker, however, has shown characteristic determination, converting what seemed like a setback into the spark behind a remarkable turnaround.
Since that break in fixtures, Watkins has been remarkably unstoppable. His goal against West Ham preceded the Bologna display of brilliance, and he has now scored four goals in five games across all competitions. Most notably, he has scored three goals in three Europa League outings—matching his tally from his previous 24 outings in major European competitions. The timing could scarcely be better, with Champions League qualification still within reach, a European final on the horizon, and the World Cup looming large on the horizon. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin observed that “it’s good timing, isn’t it?” as Watkins finds himself at the centre of multiple storylines that could define his season.
- Four goals in five matches in all competitions of late
- Three Europa League goals in three successive outings
- Had managed just one goal in nine league matches
- World Cup squad selection decision likely approaching shortly
Tuchel’s Challenge and the Kane Question
Thomas Tuchel faces a significant problem as he gets ready for England for the World Cup in North America. The lack of Harry Kane during last month’s friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan revealed a troubling fragility in the Three Lions’ attacking armoury. Kane, at 32 years of age and England’s all-time leading scorer, remains the obvious first choice, but his age and the requirements of a gruelling tournament have obliged Tuchel to think about contingency plans. The manager’s restricted choices at front of attack have been a cause of concern, with the squad without a genuine world-class backup option who can easily take on Kane’s boots should fitness or performance fail the Bayern Munich striker.
Watkins’ absence from the March squad suggested Tuchel was still searching for answers to this puzzle. Yet the Villa forward’s impressive performances in the past fortnight has fundamentally altered the equation. By netting two goals against Bologna and four times in five games overall, Watkins has thrust himself back into contention at exactly the time when England’s boss 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 prepared to allow the striker time to rediscover his sharpness rather than dismiss him entirely.
Limited Choices at Striker
England’s striker situation has been a perennial concern under Tuchel’s management. Whilst Kane remains an outstanding player and a proven international performer, the lack of depth behind him presents a weakness that competing teams would be keen to exploit. The manager has tested various alternatives, but none have convincingly demonstrated the standards and reliability demanded in top competition. Watkins’ past challenges in the Premier League—scoring only a single goal in nine matches before his latest resurgence—had made Tuchel uncertain about whether the Aston Villa man had the dependability needed for tournament football on the international stage.
The arrival of Watkins as a credible contender provides Tuchel with a more palatable solution. His Europa League form has been notably strong, suggesting he excels in intense European fixtures where composure and precise finishing are paramount. Should Kane pick up an injury or drop in form during the World Cup, having a striker of Watkins’ calibre at hand could make the difference between progression and elimination. For Tuchel, this represents a significant development in resolving one of his most pressing squad issues.
Develop at the Perfect Moment
The timing of Watkins’ return to form could hardly be better timed. After struggling in the shadows with just one goal in twelve appearances, the 30-year-old has regained his edge at a moment when both Aston Villa and England require his services most urgently. With the World Cup just eight weeks off and Villa pursuing continental honours alongside a push for Champions League qualification, Watkins has made himself as an key asset. His two-goal performance against Bologna represents far more than a conventional European triumph; it demonstrates to Tuchel that the striker has the character and ability to succeed in crucial moments.
Pat Nevin’s assessment that “it’s good timing” captures the importance of Watkins’ present trajectory. The ex-Scotland winger noted that multiple storylines come together at season’s end, each providing Watkins an opportunity to establish his position in England’s World Cup plans. By delivering consistently in European competition, where the pressure builds and room for error shrink considerably, Watkins has shown precisely the composure that tournament football demands. His desire and readiness to play additional minutes point to a player operating at peak confidence, ready to seize the opportunities that emerge 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 Europa League QF first leg against Bologna in Italy
- His current form provides Tuchel a credible alternative to captain Harry Kane
- Europa League performances suggest Watkins thrives in demanding European fixtures
Specialist Viewpoint and Path Forward
The consensus among football analysts is that Watkins has seized a real opportunity to alter the narrative around his England prospects. His shift from being a fringe player to European competition 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 sensible rather than definitive, a strategic choice designed to give Watkins with the platform to prove his worth through club football. The England manager’s cryptic comments about knowing “what he can bring to the group” suggest Watkins was never permanently written off, merely temporarily sidelined pending evidence of renewed sharpness.
Looking ahead, Watkins faces 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 press his case for international selection. The return leg against Bologna next Thursday presents an immediate chance for prolonged excellence, whilst the larger narrative of Villa’s push for Champions League qualification adds genuine stakes to every appearance. Should Watkins maintain his current trajectory through April and into May, Tuchel will have difficulty justifying excluding a striker displaying such outstanding form when the squad is finalised for the summer tournament in North America.
What the Pundits Say
Pat Nevin’s assessment demonstrated the alignment of Watkins’ opportunity precisely, recognising that various tournaments converge to create an ideal opportunity for recovery. The seasoned analyst highlighted that Watkins’ pace and intensity against Bologna indicated a player finding again his finest level at exactly the juncture when visibility is most crucial. Nevin’s point about the “possibility of the number nine role open” underscores how Kane’s experience level and Watkins’ current performances have converged to create real doubt around England’s primary attacking option for the competition.
Beyond Nevin’s observations, the wider expert 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 conversion rate that stands in stark contrast to his previous difficulties, suggesting he responds positively to the intensity and tactical demands of continental football. This distinction could prove significant for Tuchel, who must consider not merely league performance but specifically how players perform under the increased intensity of World Cup football.
The narrative arc of Watkins’ season—from peripheral player to tournament contender—exemplifies football’s capacity for quick resurgence. His readiness to show desire and focus, combined with the manager’s understated hint that absence was not permanent rather than permanent, creates an intriguing subplot as the season enters its climactic phase. Should Watkins continue scoring 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.