England's Euro 2024 hero reveals he's 'playing angry' as his goal drought threatens international future
Ollie Watkins has laid bare the mental toll of his worst season at Aston Villa, admitting he's been 'playing angry' as desperation to impress new England manager Thomas Tuchel backfires spectacularly.
The striker who sent England to the Euro 2024 final just nine months ago now finds himself frozen out of the international picture, with just 9 goals in 30 Premier League games this season compared to his usual strike rate.
Watkins' statistics paint a picture of a player in freefall. His 9 goals and 1 assist from 30 league appearances represent his worst return since joining Villa in 2020.
The drop-off becomes even starker when compared to his previous campaigns:
His conversion rate has plummeted from 18% last season to just 11% this campaign. The assist numbers tell an even bleaker story - from 13 last term to a solitary one this year.
Watkins sits on 99 goals for Villa after netting twice against Bologna in the Europa League. But his Premier League drought continues, with the century landmark becoming an unwanted distraction.
This year I haven't been at the level I wanted to
His admission to BBC Sport reveals a player acutely aware of his struggles, yet seemingly powerless to arrest the slide.
The most revealing aspect of Watkins' interview is his confession about 'playing angry' - a damning insight into how the pressure to impress Tuchel has corrupted his natural game.
Watkins has been messaging former England striker Michael Owen for advice during what he describes as a 'difficult' season. The fact he's seeking external help underlines the mental struggle consuming Villa's number 11.
Owen, who scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances, understands the unique pressure of competing for a World Cup 2026 place. His counsel appears focused on helping Watkins rediscover the instinctive finishing that made him Villa's record signing.
Sports psychologists will recognise the classic pattern: the harder Watkins tries to force his way into Tuchel's plans, the more his natural game suffers. His 'angry' approach represents the antithesis of the composed, clinical striker who terrorised defences last season.
This mental state manifests in rushed shots, poor decision-making, and the kind of hesitancy that turns natural finishers into overthinking forwards.
Thomas Tuchel took over as England manager in October 2024 and will pick his first competitive squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March. Watkins hasn't received a call-up since his Euro 2024 heroics.
While Watkins struggles, his rivals for England places flourish:
Tuchel typically selects four strikers, meaning Watkins needs to overtake at least one of these players. On current form, that looks increasingly unlikely.
With the World Cup just 18 months away, time is running out for Watkins to reverse his fortunes. England's qualifying campaign begins in March 2025, offering a narrow window for redemption.
History shows that players who miss initial squads under new managers rarely force their way back in without exceptional form. Watkins' current trajectory suggests he's heading in the opposite direction.
Watkins faces a critical juncture. He must somehow rediscover his natural game while the spotlight intensifies with every passing match. The upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool will test whether he can handle elite opposition without the 'angry' approach that's undermining his effectiveness.
Villa manager Unai Emery holds the key. If he can rebuild Watkins' confidence and restore the instinctive play that brought 19 goals last season, there remains a slim chance of a late World Cup push. But with each goalless game, that dream moves further from reality.
Will Ollie Watkins make England's World Cup squad?
Based on current form, Watkins is unlikely to make Tuchel's World Cup squad. With just 9 goals this season and no call-ups since Euro 2024, he's fallen behind Kane, Toney, Solanke and Wilson in the pecking order. He needs a dramatic improvement to force his way back into contention.
Why is Watkins struggling this season?
Watkins admits he's been 'playing angry' and trying too hard to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel. This desperation has affected his natural game, dropping his conversion rate from 18% to 11%. He's also been messaging Michael Owen for advice during what he calls a 'difficult' season.
How many goals has Watkins scored for Villa?
Watkins has scored 99 goals for Aston Villa since joining in 2020. He netted twice against Bologna in the Europa League but his Premier League return of 9 goals in 30 games is his worst at the club.
When did Watkins last play for England?
Watkins last played for England at Euro 2024, where he scored the winning goal in the semi-final against Netherlands. He hasn't been called up since Thomas Tuchel took over as manager in October 2024, missing out on recent squads.
Who are Watkins' main rivals for England's striker spots?
Watkins faces competition from Harry Kane (captain and guaranteed starter), Ivan Toney, Dominic Solanke (15 Premier League goals), and Callum Wilson. With Tuchel typically selecting four strikers, Watkins needs to overtake at least one rival to make the World Cup squad.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute betting advice.
Ollie Watkins has scored just 9 goals in 30 Premier League games this season, representing his worst return since joining Villa in 2020. This is a significant drop from his 19 goals in 37 games last season.
Watkins has been frozen out of England selection under new manager Thomas Tuchel due to his poor form this season. His desperation to impress has led him to admit he's been 'playing angry', which has backfired and hurt his natural game.
Watkins' best Villa season was 2023/24 when he scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 37 games. He also scored the winner that sent England to the Euro 2024 final during this period.
Watkins currently sits on 99 goals for Villa after scoring twice against Bologna in the Europa League. However, his Premier League drought continues, making the century milestone an unwanted distraction.
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