Ollie Watkins Turns Setback into Success, Eyes World Cup Glory with England
Ollie Watkins described his omission from England’s March training camp as a "blessing in disguise", which spurred him to a remarkable run of form with Aston Villa. After being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, Watkins responded with an impressive 11 goals in 12 games. This prolific scoring helped guide Villa to the Europa League title and secure a coveted top-four finish in the Premier League. Reflecting on this period, Watkins noted, "Sometimes, when something gets taken away from you, you realise how important it is, and it gives you that fire in your belly to come back and show people what you can do." The season concluded on a high note for the 30-year-old, who expressed pride in helping the club win a trophy after 44 years. He stated, "To come into the England camp off the back of a strong end of the season, and winning a trophy, there’s nothing better." As he prepares for the upcoming World Cup, Watkins feels physically at his best and is ready for the challenges ahead. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, "Everyone’s got a part to play in this competition... we’re all working together as a team to achieve something special." Watkins will compete with Ivan Toney as an alternative to Harry Kane, highlighting their different playing styles. He remarked, "At the end of the day, Ivan’s a proven goalscorer... I think it’s amazing that we’ve got Ivan here as he’s a clinical goalscorer." With his confidence high and form peaking, Watkins aims to make a significant impact in the tournament.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-06-03