Ollie Watkins has seen his dreams turn to reality with a 90th-minute Euro 2024 semi-final winner against the Netherlands.
The Aston Villa striker has had to be patient this summer, having featured just once prior to coming off the bench in the 81st-minute against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Ollie Watkins has had the best season of his career, scoring 27 and assisting 13 in all competitions for Villa.
Despite that, the 28-year-old has had to watch on from the bench for the bulk of the Euros, with a poor Harry Kane starting up front and Ivan Toney being favoured off the bench in both the round of 16 and quarter-final.
Wednesday night in Dortmund was Watkins’ time to shine though, as he fired one of his trademark strikes across the goalkeeper to send England fans into ecstasy.
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Ezri Konsa reacts to Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins’ heroics
Watkins’ Villa teammate Ezri Konsa was unlucky to drop out the side for the semi-final having impressed whilst deputising for the suspended Marc Guehi in the semi-final.
Instead, Konsa was brought on in the immediate aftermath of Watkins’ goal to help England see out the win and book their place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
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Konsa and Watkins have experienced real highs together this season, with the pair pivotal to Villa securing a Champions League spot and enjoying a run to the Europa Conference League semi-final.
Following the game, Konsa took to ‘X’ to express his delight and hail the impact of Watkins, as he posted: ‘Wow that’s how you win a game, we’re in the final. Ollie Watkins my striker!’
Watkins and Konsa can both play their part in Euro 2024 final
Once the England players have all recovered from the joy of Wednesday night’s semi-final win, all eyes will turn to beating a Spain side who have lit up the Euros this summer.
Whilst England were widely considered the favourites going into the tournament, Spain’s performances mean the Three Lions go into the final in Berlin as underdogs.
It would be a hugely bold move for Gareth Southgate to drop Kane for the final and it is not a decision he is expected to make, but if things aren’t working then Watkins has earned the opportunity to make the difference again.
Barring any injuries in the build-up, Southgate has made his decision regarding Konsa by putting Guehi back into the side against the Netherlands.
Whilst unfortunate for Konsa, Guehi has been one of England’s best performers this summer.
However, Southgate has shown already this tournament that, if England are seeing out a win, Konsa is the first player he turns to so the Villa centre-back could have a part to play on Sunday.
