Businesses express delight after Ollie Watkins' goal propels England into Euro 2024 final
The heroics of Ollie Watkins have been celebrated at businesses in the leafy town near his home.
The Aston Villa striker wrote his name in history on Wednesday night when he scored the winning goal for England against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund in the last minute, having come on as a late substitute.
It propelled England into a second successive European Championship final, where they will face Spain in Berlin on Sunday night, and put Ollie Watkins' name in the headlines across the world.
The 28-year-old has been at Aston Villa for just over four years and has made his home with his girlfriend Ellie Alderson and their two children in the area around Streetly and Sutton Coldfield.
For businesses around the area, the winning goal by Ollie was a reason for celebration, both for the footballer living in their neighbourhood, but also for the boost that England's success could bring.
At the Fairlawns Hotel and Spa, the operations manager Attia Abukhanin was delighted with the success of the striker as an Aston Villa supporter and said it was a huge thrill to see England in the final.
He said: "I'm originally from Egypt and the first time I ever went to watch English football was at Aston Villa, so I fell in love with the club and both of my boys have also got season tickets at Villa Park, so what a legend Ollie Watkins is to score that goal.
"I'd been frustrated watching the tournament as I don't think he's been given enough opportunities to play in the tournament and I kept wondering why he wasn't being brought on, but what an achievement it was last night and what a goal.
"I don't think I've seen him come here before, but we would love to sort him out for something here, particularly if he scores on Sunday and England win, which I think they will by winning 2-1."
On the A452 Chester Road heading into Sutton Coldfield, the assistant manager at the Hardwick Arms Katie Manning said the pub had been rocking when Ollie scored.
She said: "Not many of the staff are football supporters, but we do have the games on and it was packed in here on Wednesday night and then when he scored, everyone was screaming and cheering.
"It does bring eyes on the community when someone like him who lives locally does something big and if he decides to come down to the pub, I'm sure we can sort him out for a drink."
Further up the road at the Pacific Nurseries Garden Centre, staff there were talking to customers who had watched the game and were delighted about England's progress.
A member of staff said: "I'm not necessarily a big Villa fan, but I know some of the staff are and they were delighted about his goal and England going through.
"We had a Villa fan who worked here and even though he's since moved on, we've exchanged texts and he's really pleased about what happened.
"I hadn't realised that Ollie Watkins lived in this area, but I'm sure it will bring a lot of interest to the area after the final and, possibly, we'll get some more custom as a result."