Ollie Watkins rewarded with World Cup call as Aston Villa trio make England squad

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been rewarded for his stunning form with a place on Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.

Watkins had been left out of previous squads under the German boss - but a turnaround in his goalscoring form in recent months has seen him included for this summer’s tournament.

He makes up a trio of Villa stars named in Tuchel’s squad - alongside Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa.

Watkins endured a frustrating first half of the season and had not been involved in previous squads under Tuchel.

But the forward made it almost impossible to be left out - after he went on a run of eleven goals in 15 games.

Elsewhere in the squad, there has been some shock omissions including Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.

The defender has played a big role in recent tournaments - but has been left out by Tuchel.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Man City’s Phil Foden are also out - while Ivan Toney, who plays in Saudi Arabia, has been included in the squad alongside 35-year-old Jordan Henderson.

In other news, there is a place in the squad for ex-Villa loanee Marcus Rashford who has enjoyed a successful season with Barcelona.

And Stourbridge’s Jude Bellingham is back in the squad, having been surprisingly left out in October. It came after Bellingham had undergone a shoulder operation.

There was previous controversy between Tuchel and Bellingham, with the England boss apologising last August for ‘unintentionally’ describing Bellingham’s on field behaviour as ‘repulsive’.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford

Defenders: Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Reece James

Midfield: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze

Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon