🎥 Ollie Watkins' incredible rise from non-league to EURO 2024 hero | OneFootball

Ollie Watkins is the toast of England this morning after sealing their place in the EURO 2024 final.

The Aston Villa marksman produced a stoppage-time winner to tip the balance in Wednesday’s semi-final with the Netherlands.

It marked an incredible journey for Watkins which began in earnest with a spell at non-league Weston-super-Mare on loan from hometown club Exeter City.

After hitting double figures in 25 outings for the Seagulls, he returned to St James Park and racked up a further 26 goals in 51 appearances in League Two.

And this is what it meant to fans of the Grecians to see one of their own sending the Three Lions into Sunday’s Berlin showpiece against Spain.

Watkins’ stock continued to rise after leaving Devon, with a proficient spell at Brentford before becoming Aston Villa’s talisman in summer 2020.

This goal in Villa’s win at Chelsea last season was almost identical to his winning strike against the Netherlands.

His 27 goals last season helped Unai Emery’s side reach the Champions League but that feat has already been eclipsed for the 28-year-old.

It could get even better for the England marksman if Gareth Southgate’s side can see their Euros journey through this weekend.