Ollie Watkins seeks guidance from former England striker Michael Owen amid a challenging season, as he battles to regain top form and secure his spot for the 2026 World Cup.
Valuable Insights from Owen
The Aston Villa forward regularly consults Owen, who reached heights Watkins aims to match. Watkins explains that Owen understands his mindset and offers targeted advice. ‘I speak to Michael Owen quite a bit,’ Watkins shares. ‘Someone like him knows how I’m thinking and can give advice. It’s nice to reach out to these people. I sent him a message on Instagram, and we had a chat. He feels I’m at my best when I play “angry” and act as a nuisance. He wants me to bring that to the table as much as possible.’
Recent Form Surge
Watkins nets three goals across his last two matches, including a brace in Aston Villa’s 3-1 victory over Bologna. This result positions Villa on the verge of the Europa League semi-finals before the second leg at Villa Park next week. Despite occasional sluggishness, Villa manager Unai Emery consistently supports the 30-year-old striker. Watkins tallies 13 goals this season, even without peak fluency.
Toughest Season Challenges
Watkins describes this campaign as the most difficult of his career. Transfer rumors swirled in recent windows, and he lost his place in the England squad. ‘Throughout my career, this season has been the toughest,’ he admits. ‘I’ve done so well to get to where I am and hit a new level scoring goals in Europe. You set that expectation. When I scored for England at the Euros in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, more eyes were on me. This year, I haven’t been at the level I wanted, and learning to deal with that is hard.’
Football’s volatility offers hope, Watkins notes. A single hat-trick can shift perceptions. Despite setbacks, he maintains faith in his abilities and aims to return to prior heights. Villa faces Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, providing another chance to build momentum.
