Ollie Watkins believes he has proved his doubters wrong, using criticism as motivation to get back to his best, which he showed in Aston Villa's 4-2 win over Liverpool.
Watkins scored twice, with Morgan Rogers and John McGinn also on the scoresheet to ensure Villa walked away with all three points despite Virgil van Dijk's brace, as Friday's win confirmed their place in next season's Champions League.
Villa leapfrogged the Reds into fourth, and they now know they will play in UEFA's premier competition no matter the outcome of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg.
Seven of Watkins' eight Premier League goals against Liverpool have come at Villa Park – no player has scored more home goals versus the Reds in the competition (level with Thierry Henry and Sergio Aguero).
He has also been directly involved in more goals than any other Englishman has across all competitions this season for a Premier League club (24 – 19 goals, five assists), one more than Rogers (23 – 13 goals, 10 assists).
And Watkins is hitting form at the right time with the World Cup just around the corner, something he noted has also helped to fuel him.
"An amazing achievement. What we have done this season after the start we had – a poor start where we hardly scored and didn't win in six games – there was a lot of doubt and negativity around the club and the feeling in camp," Watkins told Sky Sports.
"We've turned it around with some big performances. Amazing to play in the Champions League, a lot of amazing teams, football that everyone watches and the competition that everyone is striving to play in.
"I had a slow start to the season, picking up a few niggles on international duty and then being left out of the England squad. I think it gave me that fire in my belly to come back and prove to people what I can do.
"A lot of people had written me off this season, and I use that as motivation to show them that I can be back to my best, scoring and helping the team. I think I've shown that for the last few games.
"I'm taking each game as it comes. Being in the Europa League final is an amazing achievement. Excitement around the club, everyone is buzzing, and we'll leave it all on the pitch on Wednesday."
Unai Emery is the first manager to lead Villa to qualification for the European Cup/Champions League in two different seasons.
This was also his 600th win as a manager, with 107 of those coming with Villa – his joint-most victories at one club (level with Valencia).
"Fantastic, the match was very important for us because the priority was the Premier League," Emery told Sky Sports.
"We faced Liverpool and tested ourselves. It was a tough match in the first half, but the second half was fantastic. I am grateful for the supporters. Champions League, this is something amazing.
"Before the match, I was worried about the level we had to play at, but I am so happy with how we did it.
"Now we focus on the final. We have to focus 100% and be ready. To play finals is very difficult. We are going to enjoy it."
1874Villan
1
Everyone saw Watkins as a "washed" player, and everyone said he won't help the team this season and look at him being a machine now. Focus on the final now. Up the Villa💜💜