England snub driving Ollie Watkins to add glorious finish to Aston Villa season

A rejuvenated Ollie Watkins has explained how being left out of the England squad put the “fuel back in his belly” to try and fire Villa’s season to a glorious finish.

The striker has been in excellent form, scoring six goals in as many matches since being omitted by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel last month.

Watkins, who had previously struggled for goals this term, admitted he could have no complaints with the decision but claimed it helped restore motivation, ahead of what could be a huge few months for club and country.

Firing Villa into the Champions League and to a first trophy in 30 years through the Europa League would help strengthen his chances of winning a place in the World Cup squad.

Watkins said: “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.

“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 he had been contacted by Tuchel prior to being left out and said: “I knew I wasn't been 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 hit 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.

But there is also the added motivation of silverware, with Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest the chance to take another step toward ending the club’s three decade wait.

Watkins has been part of a core playing group to have delivered remarkable success over recent seasons.

But the painful memories of previous semi-final defeats, to Olympiacos and Crystal Palace in the past two seasons, still remain and provide another incentive as they attempt to finally get over the line.

“Looking back at Olympiacos (in the Conference League), there was such enthusiasm,” he said. “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.”

On a personal level, Watkins is also keen to end his own wait for a trophy.

He explained: “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 continued: “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.”