Aston Villa secured their Champions League return with a 4-2 demolition of Liverpool on Saturday, but the real headline was written by Ollie Watkins in front of 41,600 stunned Anfield faithful. The striker’s brace—one goal chalked off for offside, the other a clinical finish that left Alisson at fault—propelled Villa into next season’s elite club competition for the first time since 1983.

Watkins’ resurgence has rewritten his own narrative. Just two months ago, he was a target of ridicule: a £33m signing who had managed only three league goals by January, left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and facing whispers that his World Cup hopes were fading. Now, with nine goals in his last nine league appearances, the 28-year-old has not only silenced doubters but positioned himself as England’s most dangerous striker ahead of the tournament in North America.

The Liverpool victory was more than a statement; it was a declaration. Watkins, playing on the edge of offside traps, exploited Jurgen Klopp’s high line with relentless runs that left Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk trailing. His second goal—a first-time finish after a pinpoint cross from Lucas Digne—was a masterclass in timing and precision. “He was unplayable,” said John McGinn, Villa’s captain and a teammate of six seasons. “The fire he’s found this spring is something we’ve never seen from him before. It’s like he’s playing with a score to settle.”

Watkins’ omission from the England squad in March now looks like a pivotal moment—not just for him, but for Gareth Southgate’s selection headaches. In the 12 weeks since, no English striker has scored more league goals. His 11 goals across all competitions since then outpace Kane’s 10, and sit just behind Haaland’s 14. “I had a slow start to the season,” Watkins admitted post-match. “The international snub gave me that fire in my belly. A lot of people wrote me off. I needed to prove them wrong.”

Villa’s season has been defined by resilience. From a winless streak in their first six games to a 10-game unbeaten run that catapulted them into Europe’s elite, Unai Emery’s side has defied early skepticism. “To achieve the Champions League is amazing,” Emery said. “We can now fully focus on the Europa League final in Istanbul.” That final—a clash with Bayer Leverkusen on May 29—could cap a season of redemption for a club that hasn’t won a major trophy since the 1996 EFL Cup.

The World Cup question looms large. With Kane expected to lead the line, Southgate faces a new dilemma: whether to gamble on a revitalised Watkins as his primary backup or trust established names. Ivan Toney’s prolific form in Saudi Arabia complicates comparisons, but in-form domestic strikers like Danny Welbeck and Dominic Calvert-Lewin lag behind. “He’s got to be on the plane,” said Lee Hendrie, former Villa midfielder and Sky Sports pundit. “Since being left out, we’ve seen a complete turnaround. He’s relentless now—different.”

For Watkins, every goal, every run, every moment of ruthlessness is a response to doubt. At a time when England’s attack is under scrutiny, his rise offers hope: that form can be rebuilt, legacies reclaimed, and even the harshest critics silenced—one volley at a time.