Ollie Watkins

Grassroots club: Newton Town and Buckland Athletic
County FA: Devon

Ollie Watkins received his first international call-up at any level in March 2021, when he was picked for the squad to face San Marino, Albania and Poland in European Qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.

And he had a debut to remember, as he came off the bench at Wembley to score his first England goal in the match against San Marino. 

Watkins had caught the eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate with his performances for Aston Villa, in what was his first season in the Premier League following a move from Brentford in the summer of 2020.

Hailing from Devon, the creative forward started his career with Exeter City, where he came through the youth ranks before spending three seasons in the first-team and earning a move to Brentford.

And it was at Griffin Park where he began to make a name for himself in the EFL Championship, scoring 45 goals in just over 130 games over his three seasons with the club before Villa swooped to add him to their ranks.

With his intelligent movement, good finishing, Watkins has proved to be an excellent team player at the top level in England. Those qualities were rewarded with selection for UEFA Euro 2024 - his first major tournament for the Three Lions - where he memorably scored a 90th minute winner against the Netherlands to send Southgate's side through to the final. 

Watkins enjoyed another strong season with Villa in 2025-26, winning the UEFA Europa League to claim the first silverware of his career, and his form was recognised by Thomas Tuchel who named him in his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.