Ollie Watkins is having the season of his career. Goals across the Premier League and Europa League. An assist rate that matches the elite. A pressing work rate that makes Villa's entire system function. At 30, this is Watkins operating at his absolute peak — and the England manager cannot ignore it. A place in the 2026 World Cup squad is genuinely on the line, and Watkins knows it. Villa's Europa League quarter-final against Bologna gives him the perfect stage to make an unanswerable argument. European goals, European nights, European quality — the selectors will be watching closely. What makes Watkins special is not just the goals. It is the combination play, the intelligent runs, the total team contribution. He is a system player at his finest. 🦁 Watkins for the World Cup. Villa fans have been saying it for months. Now the rest of the country needs to catch up.