Young Lion
The journey Ollie Watkins has made from Exeter to England via Weston-super-Mare, Brentford and Aston Villa is one that will give hope to so many young players who aren’t registered at Premier League or Championship clubs, that they too can achieve their dreams.
Just 4 years ago he was playing in League two with Exeter and he has been enjoying a great first season in the Premier League with Villa with 10 goals in 28 games. Tonight he scored with his first shot as an international striker in an easy 5-0 win for England, and it will be a night he never forgets.
GOAALLL!
Crisp passing. Crisp finishing.
What a way to cap your debut, Ollie Watkins
Watch LIVE:
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/VgUmUnsGMm#ThreeLions #ENGSMR #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/Hq3PI4BNos— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 25, 2021
2014: Exeter City debut 🆕
2017: Named #EFL Young Player of the Year 🏆
2017: Joins Brentford FC ✍️
2020: Championship Player of the Year + top scorer. 🏆
2020: Joins Aston Vila ✍️
2021: Scores on England debut 🏴
Well played, Ollie Watkins.👏📈#bbcfootball #ENGSMR pic.twitter.com/ud7LuYQVGw
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) March 25, 2021
He could hardly contain his delight at scoring nor in his post match interview in which he couldn’t stop smiling.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s what I’ve dreamt about to be honest.” 🤩
Ollie Watkins reacts after marking his international debut with a goal! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/dbmkCEOILs
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 25, 2021
He came on and replaced Dominic Calvert-Lewin who scored twice before being replaced by Watkins. Jesse Lingard also found the back of the net, as did Raheem Sterling who scored the 150th goal of his career.
150 – Raheem Sterling has now scored 150 goals for club (136) and country (14), with 12 of his 14 England goals coming in his last 14 matches, after just two in his first 45 caps. Skipper. pic.twitter.com/R9xnqxlddG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 25, 2021
Another first Goal
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on March 09, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Watkins wasn’t the only player to hit his first goal for England tonight, as Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse also struck his first goal for his country.
GOAALLL!
It had been coming.
Nice interplay down the left and Ward-Prowse slots home the cross for his first @England goal
Watch LIVE:
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/VgUmUnsGMm#ThreeLions #ENGSMR #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/nqzB0jSmYe— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 25, 2021
This was also Gareth Southgate’s 50th game in charge for England and they get their World Cup campaign off to a good start with games to come against Poland and San Marino.
It will be a night neither Watkins or Ward-Prowse ever forget.
