Ollie Watkins struggles in England loss v Brazil, Rob Green moots ‘difficult’ international audition
Aston Villa were well represented on the international stage as England lost 1-0 to Brazil in an international friendly at Wembley on Saturday (23 March).
Ollie Watkins was picked for Gareth Southgate’s starting XI, with Harry Kane ruled out through injury, while Ezri Konsa was handed his Three Lions debut after Kyle Walker had to be replaced after 20 minutes.
Having been given an opportunity to prove himself at international level, with only nine caps and three goals to his name, Watkins will be disappointed to finish the match without a goal or assist.
Aston Villa forward misses chance to impress Gareth Southgate for England
After 18 minutes, the 28-year-old should have seen his name up in lights at Wembley Stadium, spurning a brilliant opportunity to open the scoring and blast past Bento Krepski in the Brazil goal.
Speaking live via Channel 4 on Saturday (23 March, 7:21pm), former Three Lions goalkeeper Rob Green said: ” He needs to score, got to score, chances like that in international football, don’t get a lot of them in the game.
“Once he’s taken that touch out, it’s a gilt-edged chance – a difficult chance for him. Brilliant tackle, a disservice from me, just that little toe enough to put him off.”
Green may have been right, as Watkins registered a zero per cent shot accuracy against the Brazilians, missing the chance to net his fourth England goal. [FotMob]
The Villa man was also far less involved than Harry Kane normally is for England, only registering 24 touches. He may have maintained a 75 per cent pass accuracy, but it was not enough to grab an assist on the night.
Ollie Watkins fails to make presence known for the Three Lions
Watkins will also be disappointed with his inability to battle and get involved against Brazil’s centre-back partnership of Lucas Beraldo and Fabricio Bruno.
With zero per cent success in his ground duels entered, and 67 per cent of aerial duels won, it was clear that England were missing Kane and that Watkins was far too lonely in the final third. [FotMob]
Add his zero per cent cross accuracy to the display, and the Villa star should be leaving Wembley expecting more from himself, especially having missed a golden opportunity during the loss.
Of course, this sole performance should not put Southgate off the idea of taking Watkins to Euro 2024 in Germany, having boasted an extremely impressive season under Unai Emery at club level.
In other Aston Villa news, Ian Wright summed up Leon Bailey in one word as he predicted where the Villans will finish this season.
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