Aston Villa boss Unai Emery insists Ollie Watkins should have been included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Three Lions chief Southgate opted for Ivan Toney for England’s upcoming games with Italy and Ukraine – despite Watkins’ glittering goal record of late with six strikes in his last seven appearances.
Speaking ahead of today’s Bournemouth clash, Villa boss Emery said of Watkins missing out on England selection: “I think he deserved it but they’ve got very good players. He has to take it trying to keep going and improving and working hard like he has been doing in training here.
“Of course, it’s very difficult to be in the squad but now he is closer than before. I think his career now, being young, he has to keep going with his motivation trying to keep his best performance in each match, being demanding. He will be in the squad for the national team in the next months or years. I am completely sure.”
Asked if he’s spoken with Watkins given the disappointment, Emery added: “He’s very competitive. Of course, he has in his mind a little bit of possibility to be in the squad in the England team.
“The disappointment… but tomorrow could be a very good opportunity for us and for him to show everybody he is keeping his good performances, trying to help us to win.
“The team can help him again to score and to have a good match for him and for us. That’s his challenge now. We can be disappointed sometimes but the reaction is very important and to be consistent. Tomorrow is a very good match to show everybody again that his performances are going up and to try to be closer to the national team.”
