Ollie Watkins boosted his chances of earning an England call-up with a sensational hat-trick during Aston Villa’s commanding 6-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Watkins netted twice in the opening half, and an own goal by Pervis Estupinan extended the lead for the home team at Villa Park.
Although Ansu Fati pulled one back for Brighton in the second half, Watkins completed his hat-trick, emphasizing his qualifications for international selection.
Despite having seven previous England caps, Watkins was omitted from the national squad in their most recent selection in September.
With England manager Gareth Southgate watching from the stands, Watkins put himself in contention to be named next week in the squad for the Three Lions’ October matches against Australia and Italy.
Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz scored Villa’s fifth and sixth goals in the closing stages to cap their biggest win this season.
Villa’s players have criticised the club’s new shirts this season, saying they are uncomfortable because they retain too much sweat.
But Unai Emery’s team barely had to break sweat to see off lacklustre Brighton, who were blown away by a blistering spell of three goals in 12 minutes in the first half at Villa Park.
Villa have won five of their first seven league matches and sit third in the table ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures.
Underlining the impressive work done by Emery since he replaced the sacked Steven Gerrard, Villa’s tally of 58 points this year is also bettered only by Manchester City’s 71.
Villa have won 10 successive matches at home and harbour genuine ambitions of challenging for a top four finish.
After winning five of their opening six league matches, fourth placed Brighton have endured a week to forget, losing in the League Cup at struggling Chelsea before their capitulation against Villa.
