In better form than Kane - why Watkins is no longer being 'written off'

ByJess Anderson

BBC Sport journalist

Two months ago Ollie Watkins was in a rough patch.

Out of form, struggling for goals and left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the March international break, his chances of playing for the Three Lions at this summer's World Cup looked in serious doubt.

But, one month out from the tournament in North America, the striker has rediscovered his stride and his current form surely makes it difficult for him to be left out of Tuchel's World Cup squad.

Watkins' latest exploits, two goals in a 4-2 thrashing of Liverpool as Aston Villa booked their place in next year's Champions League, make him the current most in-form English striker. Even ahead of Harry Kane.

"I wish he was Scottish!" said Villa captain John McGinn.

"He was obviously disappointed in March but if it gave him a kick up the backside and he's certainly responded in the best way.

"We're so fortunate to have him, what he's done for this club the past few seasons has been incredible. I think he may have just snuck his way onto that plane."

Watkins has scored 12 Premier League goals this season - not his greatest yield in a Villa shirt - but nine of those have come since he was left out of the March international camp.

Across all competitions, that number goes up to 11 - Kane has scored 10 in the same period - with his form extending to Villa's run to the Europa League final.

His omission from that England squad has lit a fire in Watkins that perhaps would not have been there had he been included.

"I had a slow start to the season, picking up a few niggles on international duty and then being left out of the England squad," he said.

"I think it gave me that fire in my belly to come back and prove to people what I can do. A lot of people had written me off this season and I use that as motivation to show them that I can be back to my best - scoring and helping the team."

Against Liverpool, he was unplayable at times as he continuously took advantage of their high line and found the space to run in behind.

He expressed disappointment after the win at not adding to his two-goal tally having had one goal chalked off for offside but his constant desire to get into goalscoring positions left the Reds faltering.

The icing on the cake for Watkins would be a performance like this one against against Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday, where Villa will look to win their first major trophy in 30 years.

Since the last international break, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Watkins' nine.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland is second on that list with seven, while Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is the next best English player on five.

But, while Watkins may well be arguably England's most in-form striker heading into the World Cup, realistically the spot everyone is vying for is the number one back-up position to captain Kane.

Ivan Toney has been in prolific form all season for Al-Ahli but playing in the Saudi Pro League means his numbers are difficult to directly compare with the other contenders.

Of the rest, Watkins' 19 goals in all competitions puts him five ahead of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who returned to the England fold after a five-year exile in March, and Danny Welbeck, whose last cap was in 2018.

"He's got to be on the plane," former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie said on Sky Sports when asked about Watkins' chances of being included this summer. "Since being left out we've just seen a massive turning of the corner.

"He's been relentless in front of goal, he's shown his capabilities. He's a totally different player to Harry Kane and gives them something different."

After a slow start to the season where it took six matches for Villa to register a Premier League win, their campaign could end in spectacular style.

The victory over Liverpool secured their place in next year's Champions League and sends them off to Istanbul for the Europa League final on a high.

Villa have not won a major trophy since the EFL Cup in 1996 while their one and only major European trophy came in the 1982 European Cup.

"To achieve it [Champions League] is amazing. We can now 100% focus on the final," said Emery.

"We said at the start of the season that we wanted to be in Europe, to be in the Champions League.

"To compete in both competitions and being consistent is not easy, we had fantastic season in the Premier League. I am so proud."

McGinn said Villa were "slight favourites" for next week's final, but that they needed to "stay focused".

"It's what you dream of when you're young," he added. "You've got to enjoy it."