A rejuvenated Ollie Watkins has revealed how being omitted from the England squad put the “fuel back in his belly” to help fire Aston Villa to a potentially glorious season finale. The striker has rediscovered top form, netting six goals in as many matches since being left out by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel last month.
Watkins, who had previously struggled for goals this term, admitted he had no complaints with the decision but claimed it restored his motivation ahead of what could be a huge few months for both club and country. Firing Villa into the Champions League and securing a first trophy in 30 years through the Europa League would strengthen his chances of a World Cup squad place.
“No-one likes to be left out of the England squad. It always gives you that fuel in your belly, to prove what you can do and prove people wrong,” Watkins said. “I was determined to show people what I can do, change my form around and I feel like I’ve done that.”
The 30-year-old revealed Tuchel had contacted him before the squad announcement. “I knew I wasn't being selected but I felt it was fair, my form wasn't up to level. I had no animosity towards him. What he said to me was personal, and I've kept that. But I needed that time away to get that feeling back in my belly – and use it as motivation, that's definitely helped me.”
Watkins now wants to help Villa reach new heights in the final weeks of the season. Unai Emery’s team are close to securing a return to the Champions League with a top-five Premier League finish, while Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest offers a chance to end the club’s three-decade trophy drought.
Watkins has been part of a core group that has delivered remarkable success in recent seasons. However, painful memories of previous semi-final defeats to Olympiacos and Crystal Palace in the past two campaigns remain an incentive. “Looking back at Olympiacos (in the Conference League), there was such enthusiasm. To go out that night was really difficult because we were having such a good season and thought that would be the cherry on the top. We were playing really good football but didn’t really turn up. Those experiences, I think we learned a lot and now we need to pull together and go one more,” he said.
On a personal level, Watkins is keen to end his own wait for a trophy. “That feeling of getting Champions League football a few years ago was unbelievable, but to lift a trophy, personally I have never done it. A few of the boys have won trophies in the changing room and I am very envious of them. It’s what I strive to do.”
He added: “As a squad we have been through thick and thin together. We can always count on each other and it is nice to have a core that has been together for numerous years. It is amazing, the journey we have come on. The manager hasn’t brought in too many players and we have achieved so much under him. It is nice to see because most teams have lots of change and transfers, but we have kept the core of our team and we have done really well. I think the fact that we have done so well, we have always hit a new milestone each year, but this year would be the best season should we win a trophy and cement Champions League.”
