'I'm disappointed for Watkins - he never got a sniff'

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Thompson has expressed his disappointment that Ollie Watkins did not get any game time during England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday. Watkins only played six minutes during the tournament - as a late substitute in the dead rubber final group game against Panama - and was not turned to by Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions chased the game in Atlanta. Instead, the German bought on three defenders with the score at 1-0, and Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford after Argentina turned it round to lead 2-1.

Former Aston Villa striker Gary Thompson has expressed his disappointment that Ollie Watkins did not get any game time during England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina on Wednesday. Watkins only played six minutes during the tournament - as a late substitute in the dead rubber final group game against Panama - and was not turned to by Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions chased the game in Atlanta. Instead, the German bought on three defenders with the score at 1-0, and Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford after Argentina turned it round to lead 2-1.

"I'm disappointed for Ollie because he never got a sniff at all," Thompson told BBC Radio WM. "I kept thinking, especially when we needed to stretch the play in the second half, we needed someone like him to send the ball to in attack. "With a couple minutes to go when I saw Ivan Toney lining up, I thought: 'What's that all about?'

"I feel sorry for Ollie but he did have a great end to the season and I am looking forward to seeing him next season for Villa." Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers did start the last-four tie and assisted England's goal, while Ezri Konsa was dropped to the bench. "Rogers showed a lot of intelligence and ability on the right-hand side and put in a lovely cross for the goal for Anthony Gordon," Thompson added.

"Hopefully he will still be at Villa next season because there are a lot of rumours. "The Villa players held their own and did all right. I felt bad for Konsa being left out but these things happen.

You just have to suck these things up and carry on."