In their penultimate UEFA Nations League Group B2 match, England claimed a 3-0 victory over Greece at the Athens Olympic Stadium. Aston Villa players were pivotal in the game as Ollie Watkins opened the scoring, Ezri Konsa contributed in defense and Morgan Rogers made his debut for the senior team, replacing Anthony Gordon in the 66th minute.
Watkins Sets the Tone Early
Watkins wasted no time putting England in the lead, scoring in the seventh minute with a clinical finish assisted by Chelsea Winger, Noni Madueke. The goal marked his fifth international strike since debuting for England in March 2021 under Gareth Southgate.
Watkins continues to impress on the international stage, boasting four goal contributions—two goals and two assists—in his last five appearances for England, including a memorable winner in the Euro semifinal against the Netherlands. Chosen over England’s usual starting forward, Harry Kane, Watkins proved his merit by confidently converting England’s first chance of the game. He was eventually replaced by Harry Kane in the second half of the game.
England Seals Victory with Second-Half Goals
The Three Lions doubled their lead in the 77th minute, benefiting from an own goal by Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. England then closed the game in the 83rd minute with Curtis Jones, another substitute, scoring on his debut with an assist from Morgan Gibbs-White.
This 3-0 victory against Greece places England in a favorable position in League B Group 2, tied on points with Greece but ahead on goal difference. England now stands on the brink of promotion to League A if they can secure victory in their final group match against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley. The Republic of Ireland sits third in the group with six points from five games with Finland sitting at the bottom of the group with zero points.
Rogers Impresses In Debut
Making his first senior England appearance, 22-year-old Morgan Rogers had a lively debut after replacing Gordon midway through the second half. Rogers created two chances in his 24-minute appearance, ranking only behind Madueke, who had three. Rogers’ call-up reflects his strong start to the Premier League season, in which he has contributed three goals and two assists in 11 matches for Aston Villa, cementing his role in Unai Emery‘s lineup. With his debut, Rogers became the 78th Aston Villa player to represent England, a figure second only to Tottenham Hotspur (80).
His debut follows a series of withdrawals from the England squad, including prominent players like Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, and Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice. Rogers joins a new wave of players called up in their stead, alongside West Ham United star, Jarrod Bowen, Jarrad Branthwaite, Tino Livramento, and James Trafford.
Konsa Anchors the Defense
Ezri Konsa joined his Villa teammate, Ollie Watkins in the starting lineup, positioned in a backline alongside Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis and Kyle Walker. Konsa played solidly in the first half before being substituted at halftime for Lewis Hall. His presence marked another noteworthy contribution to Aston Villa’s representation in the England team.
After the game ended, Lee Carsley provided an update regarding Ezri Konsa’s fitness concerns. He stated that The 27-year-old defender is dealing with a “slight problem” in his hip, which has prompted medical attention and he’s set to undergo a scan to determine the severity of the issue and the necessary course of action.
This news comes as a blow, particularly considering his recent form for Aston Villa, where he has been a key figure in their defensive setup. The scan results will be crucial in deciding whether Konsa will require time on the sidelines or can swiftly return to action.
Path Forward: England’s Promotion Bid
With England’s recent form in the Nations League, Interim manager, Lee Carsley’s squad is poised to advance if they maintain their winning momentum. A victory against the Republic of Ireland will not only secure their promotion to League A but also solidify England’s ambitions of competing among Europe’s elite in the next Nations League cycle.
