Ollie Watkins has praised Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery for serving to him get again within the England squad.
The striker returned to the worldwide scene for the primary time since March 2022 and hit the one purpose of the sport as England beat Australia 1-0 in a Wembley pleasant on Friday night time.
Watkins, 27, has scored 4 targets and offered 4 assists within the first eight Premier League video games of the brand new season – together with a memorable hat-trick towards Brighton.
He had scored simply twice final marketing campaign earlier than Emery was appointed as Steven Gerrard’s successor in November however then hit 14 in 26 matches following the Spaniard’s arrival at Villa Park.
Requested the way it felt to return to the England set-up following day trip of the squad, Watkins mentioned: “I believe my mindset has modified for the reason that boss has are available in, Unai Emery at Villa.
“He’s stuffed me with numerous confidence. I’ve positively improved in these final 18 months since I used to be final within the England camp.
“I believe it exhibits in my kind and my efficiency right here so I’m actually pleased and I’m delighted to be again within the squad and placing on an England shirt.
“I envisioned all of it (taking part in and scoring towards Australia). I used to be itching to get on the pitch so I’m delighted I bought my purpose and it helped the group to win.”
Realistically, Watkins is considered one of numerous ahead choices who can be vying to be the back-up to England captain and all-time report goalscorer Harry Kane at Euro 2024.
Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and newly-capped Eddie Nketiah are different strikers in Gareth Southgate’s pool however Watkins believes he isn’t a like-for-like substitute for Kane when he’s given the nod.
“I believe I’ve bought a very totally different taking part in fashion to Harry, he can drop deep and play some unbelievable lengthy passes – that’s not my recreation. I can’t do this,” he added.
“My strengths are operating in behind and stretching them so I can solely do what I can do. After I placed on the shirt I’ll try to do the most effective I can for my nation after which it’s the supervisor’s resolution.”
