Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins’ World Cup dream still alive as Thomas Tuchel evidence boosts hopes

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins could yet find himself on the plane to the World Cup this summer.

The 30-year-old was left out of the latest England squad for the March internationals, as Thomas Tuchel opted to drop him from the group after some disappointing club form in recent months.

Watkins has served as the clear understudy to Harry Kane for the Three Lions in recent years, but his absence from the squad this time around has prompted plenty of discussions as to who will take on that role this summer.

Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were both given the chance to impress for their country in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, while Tuchel even experimented with a double false nine system in the latter.

Watkins will play a crucial role in Villa’s push for the Champions League between now and the end of the season, and it is clear that the door is still ajar for him to force his way back into Tuchel’s plans.

England displays show Thomas Tuchel has easy Ollie Watkins call

Watkins has faced his fair share of criticism in 2025-26, but he has still been Villa’s biggest attacking threat, with nine Premier League goals to his name so far this term.

His lack of consistency has seen his position in the England pecking order called into question of late, but any doubts regarding where he stands should now have been erased after Tuchel’s latest evidence from the two recent friendlies.

Both Solanke and Calvert-Lewin struggled to truly stake a claim to become Kane’s backup during their stints leading the line, while the struggles of both Phil Foden and Cole Palmer showed that the false nine setup is not a viable option either.

The lack of impact made by the two attacking returnees across the recent international break has surely made it clear that Watkins remains the best man for the job.

Tuchel may be no closer to deciding who his backup striker will be to take to North America, but he should now be clear that it won’t be Solanke or Calvert-Lewin.

With that in mind, Watkins’ hopes of making the cut have surely received a huge boost, especially considering that he has already proven himself on the international stage.

If he can find form between now and the end of the season, then Tuchel will surely have no reason not to pick him as part of his final group.

Danny Welbeck could be Watkins’ biggest threat

Danny Welbeck is also a contender to be part of the England squad for the World Cup, and he is arguably Watkins’ closest competitor after the latest international games.

The veteran has continued his recent resurgence at Brighton this season, and his tally of 12 Premier League goals is the highest of any frontman in this conversation at the moment.

The former Manchester United man hasn’t played for the Three Lions since way back in 2018, but there has been an increasing amount of pressure for him to be recalled of late.

Welbeck and Watkins are surely now best-placed to serve as Kane’s understudy for the tournament, and Tuchel’s final call may come down to who displays the best form between now and the end of the season.

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