Ollie Watkins reveals secrets behind England's Euro 2024 preparation

Ollie Watkins
Watkins prepares for his first ever tournament with England (Image credit: Getty Images)

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has revealed how Gareth Southgate has prepared his England squad ahead of this summer's European Championships.

The Three Lions head to Germany looking to go one better than their previous Euros outing, losing on penalties to Italy in the final.

Watkins himself enjoyed the best Premier League season of his career heading into the tournament, helping Aston Villa to Champions League qualification with 32 goal involvements along the way.

VIDEO: How England Plan To Win Euro 2024 - Tactical Preview

England's Euros preparations

Appearing on England's Lions' Den YouTube show, Watkins revealed exactly how the squad have been getting ready for the upcoming action this summer.

Prior to flying out to Germany, the Three Lions played in friendlies against Bosnia and Herzogevina and Iceland as Southgate undertook his final on-pitch preparations.

Trent Alexander-Arnold helped a rotated side to a 3-0 victory in Bosnia before a full-strength England side shockingly lost 1-0 to Iceland at Wmebley.

England Euro 2024 squad Harry Kane of England looks dejected after Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson of Iceland (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

England slipped to defeat against Iceland (Image credit: Getty Images)

"Towards the start of the week it's more small sided games, intense stuff," Watkins began.

"The the closer you get to the game you're working on the opposition, what you're going to do, how you're going to go about the game plan.

"It's [focus] all about the small details later on in the week."

England's first game against Serbia is fast approaching with points likely to be at a premium in a tough group, also featuring Denmark and a Benjamin Sesko-led Slovenia.

More Euro 2024 stories

We have a guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets if you're still looking to go to the tournament. We have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with info on host cities, capacities, and everything you need to know.

We have a list of the Euro 2024 favourites, with best odds on nations to win European Championship in Germany, while these are the best Euros games ever and these are the best pundits ever. With England set to be one of the favourites, meanwhile, we've analysed what the pathway to the final could look like for the Three Lions

Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world ahead of the summer's big tournament

James Ridge is a freelance journalist based in the UK. He recently spent time with The United Stand as an online news editor and has covered the beautiful game from England’s eighth tier all the way to the Premier League.