Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has said that Ollie Watkins will be fit for the match against Leeds United this week, as quoted in The Birmingham Mail.
Watkins was in action for Villa in their Premier League game against Leicester City away from home at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
As reported by The Birmingham Mail, the 24-year-old striker suffered a foot/ankle injury in the opening minutes of the match, but he did shake it off and played until the end.
Villa will return to action on Friday evening when they take on Leeds at Villa Park, and manager Smith has said that the former Brentford star will be fit.
The Birmingham Mail quotes Smith as saying: “Everyone’s all right (Watkins included). It was a tough game for a few of them.”
Boost for Aston Villa
Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in the summer transfer window, and the 24-year-old, who can operate as a striker or as an attacking midfielder, has hit the ground running in the Premier League.
According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old has scored three goals and provided one assist in four league games so far this season.
Watkins starting against Leeds will enhance Villa’s chances of winning the Premier League game and making it five league victories in a row.
Meanwhile, former Villa manager Tim Sherwood believes that attacking midfielder Ross Barkley will make his loan deal from Chelsea permanent at the end of the season, and has praised goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his performances in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Sherwood said about Barkley on talkSPORT (9:13am, October 19, 2020): “Chelsea want to give you someone like Ross Barkley for nothing, apart from his wages. I can’t see him going back to Chelsea now.
“I think he will sign permanently for Villa. Huge football club, seems like he’s enjoying the platform he has been given.”
Sherwood said about Martinez on talkSPORT (9:13am, October 19, 2020): “The goalkeeper behind, you know how important it is to have a good goalkeeper. Martinez has come in there, he has been outstanding. He is a calming influence.”
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