100% Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins looks inevitable for England Euro 2024 call-up after Jeff Stelling claim
Jeff Stelling has insisted Ollie Watkins must be on the plane for England ahead of Euro 2024, having had the season of his life at Aston Villa under Unai Emery.
The legendary broadcaster claimed that playing in the Europa Conference League with Villa will only increase his chances of a call-up, gaining more experience at a higher level of the game.
He did moot competition from Brentford striker Ivan Toney but claimed Gareth Southgate should remain loyal to Watkins after impressing in his nine international caps.
Speaking live on talkSPORT [9 January, 07:57], Stelling gushed: “He’s in the form of his life, really. The other thing I think is important is he’s now getting experience playing in Europe with Villa, which could come in useful when you’re playing against European teams in the European Championships.
“He’s better than ever, this is the best season of his life. I know people will look at Ivan Toney, but Toney would have to come with a real rattle in the second half of the season I think to take the place on the plane off of Ollie Watkins.
“Frankly, even if he did, I don’t think that’s going to happen because we know Gareth Southgate is loyal. Watkins has worked his way back into the squad, I think he’s there to stay.”
When Stelling claims this is the best season of Watkins’ life, he’s not being dramatic. Nine goals and eight assists in 20 Premier League games this season have set him up to get at least 15 of each come the summer, which would almost certainly secure him a place in the England squad.
The striker has been the standout during a successful season so far at Villa Park, and his performances in recent Premier League clashes with Burnley, Manchester United and Brentford prove how crucial he is.
In that 3-2 victory against Burnley, Watkins provided two assists, picked up three key passes, won three of his four aerial duels and made a clearance as he displayed how impressive his all-round game has become while developing under Emery’s guidance. [Sofascore]
The clash against Manchester United which saw Villa blow a 2-0 lead was another indication of how impressive the striker can be even when he doesn’t score. Three completed dribbles, three out of five ground duels won, competing in eight aerial duels and recording a 100% long pass accuracy showed what he can offer.
On top of that, the game in which his most recent Premier League goal came against Brentford was another dominant display, with a goal, one big chance created, a 100% aerial duel success rate, a clearance and a tackle further evidence of why he must be on the plane for the Euros.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa want to sign a £4.5million defender.