The Aston Villa forward was a notable absentee when Thomas Tuchel named his 35-man group for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, a decision Watkins concedes was justified given his recent struggles in front of goal. With just one strike in nine Premier League appearances heading into the weekend, the 30-year-old acknowledged his performances had not met the required standard.

"Everyone wants to play for their country, but I expected that because my form hasn't been that great," Watkins said. "I know what I can do, and when I've worn an England shirt I feel like I've always performed well."

His response, however, came in the most direct way possible. Watkins found the net as Villa secured a 2-0 win over West Ham, ending a six-match league goal drought while producing a lively display that underlined his attacking threat. He registered multiple efforts on goal and consistently troubled the defence, offering a reminder of the qualities that made him such a key figure last season.

That previous campaign, which yielded 17 goals and 14 assists, stands in contrast to more modest returns this term, where he has managed 10 goals and two assists across all competitions. With time running out before Tuchel finalises his World Cup plans, Watkins knows consistent performances at club level are now essential.

"I feel like I've done myself some favours," he added. "I'm capable of going on a long goalscoring run, so I'm not ruling myself out."

Villa manager Unai Emery backed his striker's mentality, praising both his performance and resilience. "He's a fighter," Emery said. "He played a fantastic game and deserved his goal. Now he must keep going forward, recover his confidence and his numbers, and he will be close to the national team again."

The victory over West Ham also carried broader significance for Villa, who strengthened their push for a top-five finish. Capitalising on dropped points from rivals, the result provided a timely boost heading into the international break.

For Watkins, the equation is simple: rediscover his scoring touch and force his way back into contention. While his England omission may have been expected, his reaction suggests the story is far from over.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker delighted by season start