‘Intelligence’ - Respected Sky Sports makes ‘key’ claim about Aston Villa star amid England claims

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been told he will be in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts following his stellar display last week.

England manager Gareth Southgate was in attendance at Villa Park last Saturday, as he watched the 27-year-old score a hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Watkins hadn’t scored a Premier League goal until netting the winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but has now discovered his goal-scoring touch at the right time.

Appearing on Sky Sports News, former Leeds United star Sue Smith said: “I really rate Ollie Watkins, not just because he’s gone and scored three goals in this game.

“Even when he doesn’t score goals, I think he’s so key to Aston Villa. His movement and his intelligence, the way he sets up chances and links up play for other players.

“He works so hard off of the ball to win the ball back. Yes it’s his goals and his composed finishes, and I’m sure Gareth Southgate will look at that. That’s what he said, he said: I just need to keep scoring goals and the chances will come.”

Southgate announces his England squad at 2.00 pm on Thursday for the upcoming friendly against Australia and the EURO 2024 qualifier with Italy next week.

Watkins has not played for England since March 2022 when he scored in a 3-0 friendly win against the Ivory Coast. He has made seven caps to date, but has played in just three competitive matches

The forward will find out just after lunch-time whether he is in the squad or not, and then have to focus himself for Villa’s match this evening. Unai Emery’s side host HSK Zrinjski Mostar at Villa Park in the Europa Conference League.