+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
player-image

OllieWatkins

Ollie Watkins news

Latest news

FBL-EUR-C3-LILLE-ASTON VILLA

'Play angry' - Watkins reveals he's sought Michael Owen's advice

Ollie Watkins has revealed that former England striker Michael Owen advised him to play with more aggression as he looks to revive his international ambitions. The Aston Villa forward has sought guidance from the legendary goalscorer during a challenging season. Watkins believes the advice could help him rediscover his best form ahead of the World Cup.

England World Cup ladder GFX

England World Cup squad: Tuchel's most likely 26 players

The 12 games of the Thomas Tuchel era have yielded mixed results and performances from England. They remain one of the best sides in international football, even if they haven't played particularly well for extended stretches since the Sir Gareth Southgate era. That said, they are among the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup for several reasons.

GOAL England Squad GFX

Trent & Watkins in, Foden out: GOAL's ideal England squad

The road to the 2026 World Cup is almost over for England. The next time the Three Lions convene, they will do so for two pre-tournament friendlies in the United States, against Costa Rica and New Zealand, before kicking-off their tournament against Croatia on June 17. They will do so as one of the favourites to go all the way, with the pressure on Thomas Tuchel and his players to finally end 60 years of hurt.

England Japan W+Ls GFX

Jude must start for England - but Kane is the key to WC26 glory

It's never easy with the England men's national team. On paper, they should have enough quality, experience and firepower to blow most sides on this planet to smithereens. Then you sit down, watch them and wonder whether they are actually a team of total strangers assembled purely out of spite to mildly annoy the fans who had hoped so much of them. On the basis of their March friendlies, it would be a fair assumption to make.

Thomas Tuchel Ollie Watkins England 2026

England star explains why he KNEW Tuchel would drop him

Ollie Watkins has revealed he expected to be left out of the England squad for March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The Aston Villa striker has struggled for form throughout the 2025-26 season so far but has bounced back with recent goals against West Ham United and Lille and could yet be included in the Three Lions' roster for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Harry Kane England 2025

Who joins Kane? Tuchel told key striker decision he must make

Michael Owen has told GOAL of the key striker decision that Thomas Tuchel must make when piecing together his England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Harry Kane, as captain of his country, is a guaranteed selection if fit. Questions continue to be asked of who should join the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer in a star-studded party heading to North America.

FBL-EUR-C3-ASTON VILLA-SALZBURG

‘He should've been rested!' - Emery blasted after Watkins suffers injury

Aston Villa’s Premier League title charge has been dealt a potential hammer blow after star striker Ollie Watkins limped off with a hamstring injury during Thursday's Europa League tie. Manager Unai Emery is facing intense scrutiny for risking his talisman in a 'dead rubber' against RB Salzburg, with pundits questioning why the England international was not rested ahead of a crucial run of domestic fixtures.

FBL-ENG-PR-ASTON VILLA-MAN UTD

Emery insists Aston Villa aren't title contenders

Unai Emery insists that his Aston Villa side are not Premier League title contenders despite their record-equalling run of 11 straight wins. Villa came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday night to keep on the coattails of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Joao Pedro had flicked Reece James' corner past Emiliano Martinez to put the Blues ahead on home turf.

Watkins Emery

Villa match-winner Watkins hails 'tactical genius' Emery

Ollie Watkins has hailed Aston Villa boss Unai Emery as a "tactical genius" following the forward's match-winning brace against Chelsea. The 29-year-old came off the bench shortly before the hour mark when the Blues were a goal to the good but two clinical finishes secured the visitors a 2-1 comeback win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. While he changed the game, Watkins admitted that Emery's tactical tweaks made it possible.

Chelsea lose to Aston Villa

Maresca loses it as Villa stage Stamford Bridge comeback

Chelsea threw away a commanding position as Aston Villa stretched their winning run to 11 games, thanks to an Ollie Watkins brace in a 2-1 comeback win. Joao Pedro put the Blues into a deserved first-half lead but a wretched second half from Enzo Maresca's side put paid to their faint Premier League title ambitions as Watkins stole the show on Saturday night.

Harry Kane England 2024

'Wrap him in cotton wool!' - England get Kane World Cup warning

England have been told to wrap Harry Kane in “cotton wool” from January in order to avoid any injuries that would deliver a World Cup nightmare. Former Three Lions striker Fraizer Campbell, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, admits that Thomas Tuchel would struggle to mount a serious challenge for global glory if his talismanic captain were to be unavailable.

Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg

Watkins could still be 'upset' over Rashford treatment

Unai Emery has been warned that Ollie Watkins could still be "upset" over how the manager used Marcus Rashford as Aston Villa's "main man" last season, only to fall back upon the ex-Brentford forward this campaign. Rashford, who has since joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United to resurrect his career, became the focal point of Villa's attack during his short stay in the West Midlands, but not everyone in claret and blue may have been thrilled about it.

England Wales goal Ollie Watkins 2025

England dealt fresh blow after freak injury & Kane knock

England have been dealt a fresh blow to their attacking plans, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins forced to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad after suffering a freak injury. The Three Lions were without all-time leading goal-scorer Harry Kane for a friendly date with Wales, as he nurses a knock of his own, with a selection headache being posed ahead of a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

England v Wales - International Friendly

'Very, very painful' - Tuchel offers Watkins injury update

Thomas Tuchel offered an update on Ollie Watkins' injury after the England striker was forced off in their win against Wales following a nasty collision with the woodwork. England's 3-0 dismantling of Wales on Thursday night might have looked like smooth sailing on the scoreboard, but Watkins' collision left the Three Lions bench fearing the worst.

Frequently asked questions

Lionel Messi is a versatile attacker who has featured both through the middle and in a free role from the right, allowing him to cut inside on to his stronger left foot.

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, in Argentina on June 24, 1987.

The Argentine maestro wears the number he has been known to don for the majority of his career, the No. 10, at MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi is often among the shortest players on a football pitch, standing at just 1.70m (5ft 7in). However, it is due to his low center of gravity which has made him one of the most fearsome forces to be reckoned with in football history.

Lionel Messi weighs 67kg (148 lbs), his low weight aiding him in gaining high bursts of acceleration and gliding past defenders as if they were never there.

Lionel Messi began his journey in football with local club Grandoli at the age of four, in 1992, before joining the team he loved the most, Newell's Old Boys, at the age of six. He stayed with the Argentine club until 2000, when he made the switch to Barcelona.

Lionel Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo have three sons: Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro.

Lionel Messi is married to Argentine model and media personality Antonella Roccuzzo. The couple exchanged vows back in 2017.