Dream come true for Watkins

Ollie Watkins was left “speechless” after his goalscoring England debut and admitted it was a dream come true.

The Aston Villa striker enjoyed a memorable night at Wembley as he stepped off the bench against San Marino to make his first senior international appearance as a 63^rd-minute substitute.

And he wasted little time showing the quality he has displayed for club all season as he netted his maiden goal for country, firing low into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area – his first attempt on goal for the Three Lions.

And a beaming and emotional Watkins was visibly thrilled when reflecting on what the achievement meant to him.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said, speaking post-match.

“It’s what I’ve dreamt about, to be honest. All day in the hotel I was just thinking ‘I hope I get a chance and enjoy it and get the opportunity to potentially score’ but I didn’t know it would happen.

“I’m just speechless to be honest.”

It was another milestone in a fairytale journey for the likeable, honest and grounded Watkins, 25, who has risen up the ranks from non-league football, through the Football League, into the Premier League and now on to the international stage.

“It’s been a good journey, I just feel honoured that I can come out here and get the chance to put on the shirt and play with the players I’m playing with and even score on my debut,” he added.

“I couldn’t write it and I’m over the moon, to be honest.”

Thursday night’s 5-0 victory over San Marino, which saw Villa team-mate Tyrone Mings claim his eighth international cap, is the first of three qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup during the current international period.

Watkins, Mings and England will now turn their focus towards a trip to Albania before a crucial encounter against Poland on home soil.

When asked what he hopes his goalscoring display could potentially do for his prospects ahead of this summer’s European Championship, Watkins was clear in his focus.

“I’ve just got to take each game as it comes, focus on my club form as well, play consistently for Aston Villa and score there,” he said.

“And help my team to push up the table, hopefully get into Europe and then see where we go from there.”

You can watch Ollie’s full interview below…