Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has shared an update on the fitness of Ollie Watkins after the Englishman was substituted at half-time against Wolves.
It was an almost perfect night for Aston Villa on Saturday evening, as the Villans broke their curse against Wolves at Villa Park.
An outstanding goal from Moussa Diaby followed by Ezri Konsa netting his first Premier League goal confirmed the direction of the points, in a game that saw the Old Gold threaten early on.
Based on the first 30 minutes of the fixture, it looked as though Gary O’Neil’s XI were the squad that went into the game in fourth place however, Villa’s quality prevailed as the three points stayed in Birmingham.
While there were many highs to take from the result, which ensured Unai Emery’s side remained in fourth place, there was some significant worry after the interval.
Unai Emery provides injury update on Ollie Watkins
When the teams returned to the pitch after half-time, the most notable thing was the absence of Ollie Watkins.
The Englishman didn’t look to have an injury in the first half as he impressed with his link-up play in attack however, it has now been revealed that the Villa talisman was withdrawn due to a fitness issue.
Speaking to the media after the win, Emery revealed the reason that Watkins was taken off at the interval, as relayed by journalist John Townley.
“He was feeling something in his hamstring and I think we have to wait for tomorrow. Hopefully it’s not a big injury but it’s his hamstring.”
It’s been a concerning season for the Villans when it comes to injury, with Emery only losing Matty Cash to a hamstring blow last week.
It was confirmed that the Poland international will be absent for the next three weeks as he recovers, something that could be a painful reality now for Watkins too.
Can Aston Villa cope without Ollie Watkins?
While the severity of the striker’s injury has not yet been confirmed, it’s a scary thought to imagine Villa without the 28-year-old’s services this term.
Despite all the injuries to his teammates around him throughout the campaign, Watkins has remained fit and firing, playing in all of Villa’s games so far in the Premier League this season.
It would be worrying for Emery to lose his talisman at this stage of the 2023/24 calendar, with everything still to play for both in Europe and in the league.
With 26 goal contributions so far in the league, it’s difficult to comprehend just where Villa would be without the form and improvement of Watkins this season, making his omission against Wolves even more concerning.
There will be hope that the England international’s withdrawal turns out to be a matter of precaution however, with Manchester City coming as soon as Wednesday, the time is already ticking for the striker to get fit.
