Watkins is also relishing competing in Europe which will certainly hand him pleasing exposure, with Villa ending a 13-year absence from continental action in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
And his sparkling form and crucial importance for Aston Villa and Unai Emery have deservedly meant that he is well in line for a new contract at Villa Park, after Fabrizio Romano’s update on 30 September.
However, while he’ll be helping his side right the wrongs from their opening-day Europa Conference League defeat to Legia Warsaw, Watkins will be hoping he walks out at Villa Park on Thursday an England player with Southgate set to announce his squad for the upcoming international’s against Australia and Italy in the afternoon.
And it may well be that Southgate simply has no choice but to turn to Watkins as one of his regulars looks set to be ruled out.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka went off with a muscular problem in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League loss to Lens on Tuesday [3 October], with manager Mikel Arteta later saying the injury “does not look good”.
Given Southgate names his squad on Thursday [5 October], there is a very high chance Saka will not be included. While Watkins does not play a similar position to Saka, he’ll certainly be challenging the likes of another Arsenal star for a call-up in Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah was a surprise call-up in the last England internationals at the expense of Watkins but given both players’ forms right now, it would be an absolute shock if Southgate were to leave Watkins out after watching what he did against Brighton first-hand.
So far this campaign, Watkins is ahead of Nketiah in goalscoring, registering four goals and three assists so far to the Arsenal star’s two goals while Nketiah is enduring a similar goal-barren patch to the one Watkins had earlier this campaign.
The Gunners striker has not scored since 28 August, a run stretching six games in all competitions so far which certainly means that Watkins has the upper hand come Thursday’s announcement, surely?
In other Aston Villa news, an Aston Villa Women defender has been handed a club honour following the exit of one player.
