'All not lost' for 'fighter' Watkins as World Cup approaches
· Yahoo Sports
Ollie Watkins' poor form has coincided with a tricky period for Villa in which they had won just two of their past 10 matches before Sunday's victory at Villa Park.
But he is not the only one going through a sticky patch, with the Villans scoring just 12 goals this calendar year and boasting one of the worst shot conversion rates in the league.
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Watkins appeared completely determined to provide the spark his side needed against West Ham, leading the line brilliantly and constantly searching for opportunities.
Perhaps being left out of the England squad provided the perfect motivation for him to return to the scoresheet. Perhaps Thomas Tuchel even knew it would.
"Tuchel knows him pretty well and he's seen a bit of him already, so maybe not everybody who's left out [of the England squad] is completely out of his thoughts," said former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy.
"Goals between now and the end of the season could easily get Watkins back in Tuchel's thoughts. I think that'll be a big relief for him to get back scoring and he's still got a lot of time to get his form right back up there because we know how good he is. All is not lost for him."
Watkins will now spend the international break resting and training in Birmingham, and Villa manager Unai Emery seemed well aware of the challenge facing the striker.
"He is a fighter. He is always doing his tasks and I am always delighted with him," he said.
"Then it's numbers. He scored, but he must be consistent in his mentality to do his tasks and get his numbers. To be in the national team is something every player wants, but he must continue working and give the coach trouble [picking] for the next World Cup."