Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins came off the bench to help England reach the Euro 2024 final after a stunning 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
England went into the game as favourites, but fell behind pretty early to a Xavi Simons screamer, before Harry Kane levelled from the penalty spot.
Despite that goal from the England captain, his performance in the second half started to decline, so Aston Villa’s star man was introduced into the action.
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s Player of the Season, for a reason. And Unai Emery guided Aston Villa to the Champions League, for a reason! The brilliance of the man upfront can’t be ignored because he has been pivotal to it all.
One thing you will constantly hear is just how well-liked a player Watkins is and how deserving he is of this moment that will go down in English football history, especially if they beat Spain in the final!
After the game, the reactions to England’s very late win were swirling in, with perhaps the most heart-warming one from Emiliano Buendia and his young son.
The Villa playmaker posted a small clip on his Instagram story of the aftermath of Watkins’ winner, with his son watching on whilst standing in front of the telly.
England reach Euro 2024 final after beating the Netherlands
Buendia junior could be heard chanting ‘Ollie Watkins, du, du, du’. A chant you would hear week in and week out at Villa Park.
And now the 19-goal striker is inspiring the next generation!
Ollie Watkins proves himself again
Aside from a sticky spell under Steven Gerrard, and who didn’t struggle under him? Watkins has been consistently outstanding at Villa Park ever since he stepped foot into the Premier League.
Dean Smith deserves huge credit for that rise because he signed him for Brentford, brought him to the Midlands and then helped progress him into an England international.
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That’s when Emery took over and helped transform Watkins at Villa into one of the most deadly forwards in Europe – and he will be rightfully playing Champions League football next term.
But this is now resulting in the Exeter academy product getting recognition far and wide, including Ross Kemp’s amazing reaction to Watkins’ winner for England.
