Ollie Watkins is still nurturing hopes of a 2026 World Cup place, according to Villa's own podcast. At 30, the window is narrow — but Watkins knows it, and his form at Villa Park has been strong enough to keep him in the conversation. Villa's season is building to a Europa League quarter-final against Bologna — the club's third successive European QF. Commercial revenues are record-breaking, the North Stand is being rebuilt, and the squad depth is the best in the club's modern history. World Cup or not, Watkins plays for a Villa side heading in one direction: up. 🦁 Bologna next. Then we take stock of what this season means.