Gabby Agbonlahor has backed Ollie Watkins to refind his form for Aston Villa and be in the conversation for the next England squad for a major tournament.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Watkins has to reach top form in the months before the European Championship in Germany in 2024.
The 26-year-old has scored twice in seven games for his country but has not made a squad since March.
He told the Athletic earlier this week (10 December) he was disappointed not to be in the conversation for the World Cup squad but admitted his form did not justify a seat on the plane.
Watkins scored just two goals in 14 Premier League games in the first part of the season before the break.
“The difficult thing is, it’s not about what you’ve done in previous seasons, it’s about what you’ve done in the time just before the squad is named,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Ivan Toney and Callum Wilson were in better form and he will know that.
“Coming to the Euros, it doesn’t matter what you do today, for instance, it matters what you are doing two or three months before the competition. If you’re on fire, you’ll get in.
“He’s just got to keep playing his game, keep trying to improve and there’s no reason why he can’t be in that Euros squad.”
Watkins has scored 27 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 86 Premier League games for Aston Villa.
He moved to Villa Park for a £30million fee in the summer of 2020 from Brentford.
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By: Gabriel Agbonlahor
Title: Agbonlahor issues bold Watkins claim as Aston Villa blow confirmed
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/agbonlahor-issues-bold-ollie-watkins-claim-as-aston-villa-blow-confirmed/
Published Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:02:02 +0000
