As Aston Villa prepares to face Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final this Thursday (9:00 p.m.), one name is more than ever expected on the pitch at the City Ground: Ollie Watkins. Indeed, the explosion of the surface fox seems to have done damage in England and this 100% English meeting could once again put him in the spotlight. The 30-year-old striker has established himself as the offensive leader of his team over time, and if his efficiency in front of goal is as much to be highlighted as his versatility on the lawns of our neighbors, there is no doubt that Unai Emery’s men can reach the bottom of the competition. On the European scene in particular, the striker has four goals and an assist in twelve matches, including an achievement against Bologna in the quarter-final.
Furthermore, the Villans’ offensive weapon seems to be in demand in recent days. His profile as a false new and picky finisher appeals across the Channel, which means that the summer transfer window could well bring something new during the rest of his career. Certainly, he is at the heart of an ambitious project with his team, currently fifth in the English first division and almost qualified for the next C1, but the striker could take the exit door. A probable departure from Birmingham which would propel him into a new squad just after his World Cup… or not. To this day, that’s the question that remains. Will he have the opportunity to travel to North America in June?
Revealing performances to go to the World Cup with the Three Lions
During the last gathering of the Three Lions, the selection coach opted for an expanded list of 35 players, with several surprises. Except that in this array, Thomas Tuchel had not indicated the name of the scorer. If Morgan Rogers, his club teammate, had been called into the English midfield, he had no place according to the German technician. Faced with more than tough competition, since Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Kane and even Dominic Solanke were present during this spring gathering, his place was necessarily in danger. But while the weeks go by and Tuchel will have to make choices on the offensive level in a few weeks, the man dressed in purple waits, again and again, in search of a phone call synonymous with a dream.
Author of two goals for a total of seven appearances since 2021 for the selection, we cannot say that he had his chance or the time to prove with the white jersey. However, his regularity, his maturity and his impact in major events have always been worth highlighting. Thanks to this, but also to the significant playing time given to him under the orders of his Spanish coach, he could well be one of the big winners of Tuchel’s next list. Obviously for him, he will have to stay the course in the championship and be present until the end in the Europa League to have the chance and the honor of leaving his luggage on the North American continent. As a reminder, the English will play New Zealand and Costa Rica at the beginning of June in Florida, before the competition. It remains to be seen whether the Newton Abbot native will show up at this precise moment or if his start to the summer will look like a probable failure.
