Micah Richards gives verdict on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins display for England vs Greece as Harry Kane claim made

Add as preferred source on Google

One of the stars for England against Greece was Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

England beat Greece 3-0 in the UEFA Nations League – League B – Group 2 on Thursday evening.

Villa striker Watkins was among the goalscorers. The 28-year-old found the back of the net in the seventh minute when he turned in Noni Madueke’s cross.

Watkins, who has proved Andros Townsend wrong, was a surprise starter for England. Harry Kane is the number one striker for the Three Lions, but the Bayern Munich star was dropped to the bench.

Micah Richards reacts to Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins display for England

Former Villa and England international defender Micah Richards was impressed with Watkins, rated highly by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, and has noted how well he played.

The pundit has also said that when Watkins plays, it allows England to press higher up the pitch.

Richards said about Watkins: “I also thought Watkins played well. Not necessarily his overall game as we know Harry Kane was on the bench, but in terms of the press.

“If you watched the way England pressed, they sort of pressed in a 4-4-2. Like we saw the majority of the time at Villa this season. Bellingham was going really close to him and everyone knew their jobs.

“I thought we looked a bit more energetic. I’m not saying Kane shouldn’t start but I am just saying for the press it allowed us to get higher up the pitch, win the ball high and then get the ball wide as soon as possible. I was really impressed with the performance.”

How the media in England rated Ollie Watkins’s display

Watkins is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and there is no surprise that he does well for England when he gets the chance.

The striker has scored five goals and given two assists in 11 Premier League matches for the Villans so far this season.

Watkins scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 37 league appearances for Villa last season.

Following his goal and impressive display for England against Greece, the national media raved about him.

The Guardian rated Watkins 7 out of 10 and noted: “Justified the call to drop Harry Kane by scoring with his first touch. Rarely involved in general play but lurked menacingly.”

The Express also gave the striker 7 out of 10 and wrote: “Great positioning to tap in Madueke’s cross. Was put through on goal again in the first half by Rico Lewis but a poor first touch let him down when he had the chance to go one-vs-one. Subbed.”

The Sun rated Watkins’s performance 7 out of 10 as well and noted: “The surprise starter over Harry Kane. He took his early chance well, converting from the edge of the six-yard box. Could have had another when sent clean through but the ball got stuck under his feet.”