Ollie Watkins has given England manager Thomas Tuchel a opportune reminder of his credentials ahead of the World Cup, bagging a brace 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 barren spell, 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 approaching in just over two months and Harry Kane’s backup options limited, Watkins’ return to form could prove crucial to England’s hopes of success in the global tournament.
The Journey of Redemption Commences
Watkins’ absence from England’s March squad proved to be a bitter pill to swallow. The forward had scored only one goal in nine Premier League matches, leading Tuchel to make the difficult decision 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 needed to rediscover his form to have any chance of travelling to North America. The striker, however, has responded with characteristic determination, converting what appeared to be a setback into the spark behind a remarkable turnaround.
Since that break in fixtures, Watkins has been almost impossible to stop. 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 netted three goals in three Europa League appearances—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 beckoning, and the World Cup looming large on the horizon. Ex-Scotland winger Pat Nevin noted that “it’s good timing, isn’t it?” as Watkins finds himself at the centre of several narratives that could define his season.
- Four goals in five games in all competitions recently
- Three Europa League goals in three successive appearances
- Previously managed only one goal in nine league matches
- World Cup squad selection decision likely approaching imminently
Tuchel’s Predicament and the Kane Question
Thomas Tuchel faces a real challenge as he prepares England for the World Cup in North America. The absence of Harry Kane over last month’s international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan exposed a concerning vulnerability in the Three Lions’ offensive capabilities. Kane, at 32 years of age and England’s greatest goalscorer, remains the natural starting option, but his advancing years and the demands of a demanding competition have compelled Tuchel to consider alternative options. The manager’s limited alternatives at striker have been a point of frustration, with the squad missing a real top-tier alternative 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 trying to solve this puzzle. Yet the Villa forward’s blistering form in recent weeks has significantly changed the equation. By scoring twice against Bologna and four times in five games overall, Watkins has forced his way back into the reckoning at exactly the time when England’s manager needs reassurance about his options. Tuchel’s earlier comments about knowing Watkins “very well” now carry added weight, suggesting the England boss may have been willing to give the striker space to regain his sharpness rather than dismiss him entirely.
Few Alternatives at Striker
England’s striker position has been a ongoing issue under Tuchel’s tenure. Whilst Kane remains an exceptional talent and a established international star, the shortage of alternatives behind him presents a weakness that opposing nations would relish exploiting. The manager has tested multiple candidates, but none have definitively proven the performance levels required at the highest level. Watkins’ past challenges in the Premier League—scoring only a single goal in nine matches before his recent revival—had left Tuchel questioning whether the Aston Villa man had the dependability required for competitive tournaments on the international stage.
The arrival of Watkins as a legitimate contender gives Tuchel with a more attractive solution. His Europa League record has been exceptionally good, suggesting he thrives in high-pressure European fixtures where composure and clinical finishing are essential. Should Kane suffer an injury or decline in performance during the World Cup, possessing a forward of Watkins’ quality at hand could make the difference between advancement and exit. For Tuchel, this represents a significant development in addressing one of his most pressing squad challenges.
Form at the Optimal Time
The timing of Watkins’ return to form could hardly be more opportune. After struggling in the shadows with just one goal in twelve appearances, the 30-year-old has rediscovered his sharpness at a juncture when both Aston Villa and England need him most urgently. With the World Cup merely eight weeks away and Villa seeking European trophies alongside a challenge for Champions League qualification, Watkins has established himself as an indispensable figure. His brace 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 remark that “it’s good timing” reflects the importance of Watkins’ current trajectory. The former Scotland winger recognised that several narrative threads converge at the end of the season, each providing Watkins an chance to establish his position in England’s World Cup plans. By performing regularly in European competitions, where pressure intensifies and room for error tighten significantly, Watkins has shown exactly the composure that tournament play requires. His hunger and willingness to play additional minutes suggest a player performing at peak form, ready to seize whatever opportunities arise in the months ahead.
| 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 the Europa League QF opening match against Bologna in Italy
- His current form gives Tuchel a viable alternative to captain Harry Kane
- Europa League displays indicate Watkins excels in high-pressure European matches
Professional Assessment and Path Forward
The consensus among football analysts is that Watkins has grasped 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 demonstrates 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 designed to provide 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 definitively ruled out, merely temporarily sidelined pending evidence of renewed sharpness.
Looking ahead, Watkins encounters an compelling array of fixtures that will eventually shape 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 offers an immediate platform for sustained performance, whilst the larger narrative of Villa’s push for Champions League qualification brings genuine significance to every appearance. Should Watkins sustain his present form through April and into May, Tuchel will struggle to justify excluding a striker operating at such high standards when the squad is finalised for the summer tournament in North America.
What Commentators Say
Pat Nevin’s assessment captured the synchronicity of Watkins’ opportunity exactly, noting that various tournaments align to establish an excellent platform for resurgence. The veteran broadcaster highlighted that Watkins’ form and energy versus Bologna pointed to a forward rediscovering his peak form at precisely the moment when prominence matters most. Nevin’s point about the “possibility of the striker position available” highlights how Kane’s age and Watkins’ current performances have combined to produce genuine uncertainty around England’s primary attacking option 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 sharp opposition to his earlier struggles, suggesting he responds positively to the intensity and tactical demands of continental football. This distinction could prove important for Tuchel, who must consider not merely domestic form but specifically how players cope with the increased intensity of World Cup football.
The narrative arc of Watkins’ season—from peripheral player to World Cup prospect—exemplifies football’s capacity for quick resurgence. His readiness to show desire and focus, alongside the manager’s understated hint that exclusion was brief rather than permanent, creates an fascinating secondary storyline as the season approaches its finale. Provided Watkins continues scoring in the Europa League and Premier League, the conversation will undoubtedly move from whether he deserves selection to whether Tuchel can integrate him next to Kane in the tournament squad.