Ollie Watkins has fired a timely reminder to Thomas Tuchel after delivering a clinical two-goal performance for Aston Villa in their Europa League quarter-final clash against Bologna.
In a high-tempo European showdown, Watkins stepped up when it mattered most, driving Villa forward and underlining his red-hot form.
Notably, his brace now takes his tally to four goals in his last five outings: momentum that could shake up England’s attacking pecking order.
Having been overlooked in Tuchel’s latest squad, with Dominic Solanke, Phil Foden and Dominic Calvert-Lewin selected to support Harry Kane, Watkins responded in the best possible way: on the pitch.
“Back end of the season, I’m raring to go,” said Watkins to TNT Sports.
“I could play another 90 minutes right now. I’m excited for the last few games, next week again against these. I’m hungry.”
Despite the result, the striker admitted Villa had to weather a storm, especially in the opening exchanges where Bologna dictated the tempo.
“First half, they were putting us under a lot of pressure,” he said.
“They were dominating the game – and we got lucky. At half-time I said to the boys: ‘Come on, we’ve got to wake up’. We got lucky they scored a disallowed goal.
“If that turns, and it stayed 1-0, it would have bene a long way back for us. It was a great atmosphere and they played tough today. But we got lucky.
“We got the goal from the set piece, which took the sting out of the game. It’s a great time to score as they were dominating. Then we got the second goal, from there it looked like we were going to score more.
“Their winger was causing all sorts for problems tonight. 2-1? It’s all to play for. So that goal at the end takes the sting out the game. A two-goal lead going back to Villa Park, we’re going to make it tough for them.”
With confidence flowing and goals stacking up, the Villa forward has thrown himself firmly back into the England conversation, making Tuchel’s next selection call all the more intriguing.
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