Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins inspires Europa League quarter-final first leg win over Bologna to spark renewed hope for World Cup inclusion

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Ollie Watkins will make it "almost impossible" for England boss Thomas Tuchel to leave him out of his final 26-man World Cup squad if the striker continues his scoring streak for Aston Villa, according to TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves. Watkins made it four goals in his last five appearances as Bologna were beaten 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie in Northern Italy.

Highlights: Watkins on fire as Villa pass Bologna test

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Ollie Watkins scored twice as Aston Villa took control of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie with Bologna - and the striker will make it "almost impossible" for Thomas Tuchel to ignore this summer if he continues his scoring streak, according to Owen Hargreaves.

Watkins, who was left out of England's 35-man squad for last month's international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, has now scored four goals in his past five outings in all competitions - with his brace against Bologna securing a 3-1 first leg victory at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

The 30-year-old could still be included in the Three Lions' 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico - with Tuchel admitting he wanted to use his latest camp to look at Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke, already aware of what Watkins can bring to his side.

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But the Villa striker has responded emphatically to his omission and Hargreaves believes there will only be one outcome if he continues finding the net regularly for his club.

The former England midfielder told TNT Sports: "For Watkins, if you score two goals in a European knockout tie, trust me, your name is back in the mix [for England contention].

"The England lads didn't exactly rip up trees the other day. So, let's be honest, if he keeps scoring, he will be in there.

"He is unselfish, he's humble and he is a good goalscorer when he gets opportunities. Yes, he can run the channels and create opportunities, but if he is scoring goals then he is almost impossible to leave off the plane.

Watkins 'almost impossible' to leave out of England squad, insists Hargreaves

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"The Bologna manager [Vincenzo Italiano] will be fuming, as they gave away three really soft goals. The ball from Miranda [in the build up to Watkins' first goal] doesn't exist. Villa and Watkins are way too good to be given opportunities like the ones they were given tonight."

Former Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov agreed with Hargreaves' assessment, having already tipped a big performance from Watkins prior to kick-off.

In the pre-match analysis, Petrov told TNT Sports: "I've felt a bit sorry for Ollie as he has suffered from a lack of competition. He's lacked being pushed to stay on his toes all season as he's got everything.

"Previously he had Jhon Duran, then he had Donyell Malen, but they have both left. He now has Tammy Abraham. As players, we need competition in order to be better and to perform.

Watkins now has four goals in his last five games in all competitions

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"Since Youri Tielemans and John McGinn have come back from injury, that has helped Morgan Rogers and in turn that will help get the best out of Watkins. The consideration over who makes the World Cup starts now, so he has to perform."

After two impressive poacher's finishes, Petrov added: "There's been so many questions in the past about Ollie Watkins, but whenever Aston Villa have really needed him to produce, he's done it.

"That's what makes him first-choice. At the back of his mind, he is definitely thinking about that World Cup. He knows he has to perform to get there. He's answered some questions tonight."

Watkins: I'm raring to go

Villa rode their luck, with Ezri Konsa's own goal ruled out for offside, before Lewis Ferguson struck the crossbar from the excellent Jonathan Rowe's inviting cross.

When Konsa then capitalized on a mistake from Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, it was the ultimate smash-and-grab at the end of the first half.

But Villa asserted themselves after the restart as Emi Buendia pressured Torbjorn Heggem into presenting Watkins with his first of the night.

Watkins admits Villa 'got lucky' and needed to 'wake up' after tough first-half

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Rowe deservedly hauled Bologna back into the tie but, after more poor defending at a corner allowed Watkins to poke in his second with virtually the last kick of the game, the Italians were consigned to their first home defeat in the Europa League after 20 games unbeaten in the competition.

Watkins told TNT Sports he is "hungry" to succeed at the business end of the season to put the pressure on Tuchel's striker selection dilemma.

"Back end of the season, I'm raring to go," he said.

"I could play another 90 minutes right now. I'm excited for the last few games, next week again against these. I'm hungry."

Watkins did admit, however, that Villa were a touch fortunate against the Serie A side.

Villa fans 'in dreamland' as Watkins punishes sloppy Bologna error

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"First half, they were putting us under a lot of pressure," he added.

"They were dominating the game - and we got lucky. At half-time, I said to the boys: 'Come on, we've got to wake up'. We got lucky they scored a disallowed goal.

"If that turns, and it stayed 1-0, it would have been a long way back for us. It was a great atmosphere and they played tough today. But we got lucky.

"We got the goal from the set piece, which took the sting out of the game. It was a great time to score as they were dominating. Then we got the second goal. From there it looked like we were going to score more.

"Their winger was causing all sorts of problems tonight. 2-1? It's all to play for. So that goal at the end takes the sting out the game. A two-goal lead going back to Villa Park, we're going to make it tough for them."

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