Aston Villa have issued an injury update on Ollie Watkins ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
When Ollie Watkins was withdrawn at half-time against Wolves, the focus of Villa Park subtly turned towards the potential of their star striker suffering an injury.
Aston Villa would be in an entirely different place this season without the 28-year-old, who has had a hand in 26 of the squad’s goals this term, netting 16 and assisting 10 in the Premier League so far.
Considering all of the injuries that Villa have sustained this campaign, there was always some anxiety over what Unai Emery would do in the instance that Watkins was unavailable, given that the Englishman has featured in every league game so far.
The anxious wait between the Wolves victory to Emery’s press conference is now over, with the Spaniard finally providing an update on the talisman’s fitness.
Unai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins injury timeframe
Speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, the Villa manager confirmed that his striker will be absent for the Villans’ trip to Manchester.
As relayed by BirminghamLive, Emery responded to questions over the fitness of both Jacob Ramsey and Watkins, saying:
“They will not be available for tomorrow. They have small injuries. Jacob Ramsey is not getting better like he wants. We are not in a hurry with him. For tomorrow he will not be available.”
“With Ollie, it is more or less the same. Ollie’s injury is a small injury, with some days rest, maybe he could be available for the next match.”
After losing three key players to season-ending ACL injuries this year, it’s a huge relief for Villa to learn that Watkins’ issue is nothing severe however, it will be difficult for the squad to cope without their marksman at Manchester City.
Aston Villa will be without Ollie Watkins against Manchester City
While it’s a relief that Watkins is set to return against Brentford on Saturday, it’s a shame to hear that the 28-year-old will miss the trip to the Etihad.
It would never be ideal for Villa to have to field a team without their striker, who has been integral this season for his playmaking and goalscoring efforts.
The City game is going to be difficult for the visitors, as it always is for a side visiting the Etihad, with the absence of Watkins causing a void in the front line.
Presumably, Jhon Duran will be the man to fill in for the Englishman, handing the 20-year-old the chance to really show his worth in one of the most challenging fixtures in the Premier League.
