Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 21 April 2026 12:40, UK

Aston Villa dispelled any thoughts of tiredness in their thrilling 4-3 win over Sunderland, while Troy Deeney wants an England recall for Ollie Watkins.

Less than 72 hours on from their Europa League win over Bologna on Thursday, Villa were back in Premier League action on Sunday, this time against Europe-chasing Sunderland.

Villa eased into a 3-1 lead, thanks to a Watkins brace, before a quickfire double put the visitors on the brink of an unlikely comeback win at Villa Park.

But Tammy Abraham’s stoppage-time winner secured Unai Emery‘s men all three points to inch them closer to Champions League qualification.

After Villa’s win over Sunderland, ex-Watford man Deeney has picked Watkins in his Premier League Team of the Week.

Ollie Watkins named in Premier League team of the week

After not being selected for England’s March internationals against Uruguay and Japan, Watkins has seemed determined to get a Three Lions recall ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

In his last four Europa League games, Watkins has scored four goals and added an assist.

And in his last three Premier League outings, the 30-year-old has scored three times and bagged an assist, as he returns to his very best.

Following his double against Sunderland, Deeney has heaped praise on the striker, while also commending Villa’s energy levels.

In addition, Villa outran Sunderland, as Emery’s team covered 108.51km, while the away side ran 106.79km – another statistic that is likely to surprise Deeney.

He wrote in his BBC Sport column: “I thought Aston Villa would be a little bit lethargic following on their European exploits, but Ollie Watkins did really well with another couple of goals in the 4-3 win over Sunderland. Fair play to him.

“Hopefully, he gets back into the England squad.”

If Watkins continues this hot streak, Villa have a great chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, with Emery’s team now 10 points ahead of Chelsea in sixth, and in a Europa League semi-final.

Incidentally, in the last England squad, Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were preferred to Watkins.

But, the Villa star has eight more goals than Solanke (three) and is level on 11 in the Premier League with Calvert-Lewin.

Watkins has provided more assists, has created more big chances, and is the form player of the trio right now, despite the latter’s penalty against Wolves on Saturday.

If he can keep this up, Thomas Tuchel surely cannot ignore the former Brentford man ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Aston Villa holding firm despite busy fixture list

If Villa end up lifting the Europa League trophy, they will have eight more matches this season, while many of their opponents may have just five.

Questions have been raised about whether Morgan Rogers, among others, is running out of steam, but that didn’t seem to be the case for Villa against Sunderland.

Especially days after Watkins and Co smashed Bologna.

What has massively helped their cause is the return of the likes of captain John McGinn and fellow midfielder Youri Tielemans from injury.

Next up, Villa travel to Fulham on Saturday before taking on Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final next Thursday.

Rotation may be key going forward, something Villa can afford to do due to their points gap over Chelsea.

But more importantly, the Midlands outfit have got their swagger back, just in time for the run-in, with Watkins surely set for North America.