“I want to be scoring” says England striker Ollie Watkins

Ollie Watkins says his aim remains scoring as many goals as possible despite his fine record of making them for Aston Villa and England.

The 28-year-old came off the bench to set up goals for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in England’s two Nations League games against Finland and Greece this week.

And last season Watkins created 13 goals in the Premier League for Villa – two more than any other player in the league.

But asked if he gets as much enjoyment out of the assists, he said: “No. I want to be on the end of it scoring, at the end of the day.

“Scoring is the best feeling, as much as I like making them I definitely prefer to be on the end and scoring myself.

“That is second best so if I am not scoring it is the second best thing and happy days.

“Each year that goes by I feel like I am getting progressively better, learning more and more as each season goes by, trying to improve individually.

“Each year I set a new goal and I seem to reach it so I want to score more goals and prove myself in the Champions League this year.

“Everyone wants to play as many games for England and their club as possible.”

Watkins came off the bench to score a memorable winner against the Netherlands in the Euros semi-final win for England but remains behind Harry Kane in the race to start.

Villa return to league action when they face Fulham on Saturday 19 October.