Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins recorded an assist from the bench as England secured a much-needed 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday.
Lee Carsley came under fire for not starting Watkins against Greece at the weekend, with captain and star striker Harry Kane injured, at the time.
England went on to lose that UEFA Nations League match, with Aston Villa‘s number-one hitman being reduced to cameo appearances from the bench during this international break.
Watkins couldn’t do much to get his country out of the hole they found themselves against the Greeks, but things were far better in Helsinki.
To nobody’s surprise, Kane didn’t make much of an impact during his hour on the pitch, as he continues to struggle to lead the line for his country.
But Watkins was lively off the bench for England and he played a part in his side’s second and third goals being scored – he came onto the pitch at 1-0.
The 28-year-old assisted Declan Rice for the third goal after a brilliant run down the left channel, before calmly finding Arsenal’s £100 million man at the near post.
After the game, Rice spoke about Watkins’ contribution to the game and his impact from the bench, as he told ITV Sport.
Many feel Kane is too static and slow for the attack-heavy England side, but his understudy provides that energy, running in behind and the running of channels.
Rice stated that the Villa man did ‘really well’ and he offered England ‘something different’.
Ollie Watkins assists Declan Rice’s goal for England against Finland
“As soon as the ball got played to Ollie, I was in my own half,” said Rice. “I think I was in the box when the ball got played to him.
“I saw a load of space to run into and I just kept going. It was just an instinct thing where Ollie crossed it first post and I arrived there, so if you don’t get into the box, then you don’t score.
“I thought Ollie ran the channels really well when he came on and obviously gave us something different. It was a really positive night all round.”
Blessing for Aston Villa that Ollie Watkins didn’t start
Yes, Villa fans are right to question why Watkins isn’t playing more for his country, but in truth, it’s a blessing for Unai Emery.
Villa have a huge fight on their hands to finish in the top four and they are going to need every man as fresh as possible.
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Watkins not starting has meant less workload heading into another gruelling set of fixtures for the Midlands side, including more Champions League games.
The big plus for Villa is that John McGinn returns after the international break, as well as Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa and possibly Jacob Ramsey, including long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings.
