Aston Villa have landed a huge boost on the injury status of Ollie Watkins ahead of visiting Southampton. Unai Emery had to replace his striker in last Friday’s win over Leeds United.
That is according to Birmingham Live, which reports Aston Villa have sent Watkins to have scans on his injury. The 27-year-old rolled his ankle in the Villans’ 2-1 win over the Whites. But the checks revealed he did not suffer any lasting damage or now require any time out.
So, Emery should have Watkins to call on when the Villa Park natives travel to St Mary’s on Saturday. The Spaniard has started the forward during all but one of his six Premier League games in charge. Watkins sat out their 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on November 13.
Watkins missed the Villans’ trip to the Amex Stadium due to illness for his only no-show of the season so far. He has also started in 17 of his 18 Premier League outings this term. The seven-cap England ace only featured off the bench in their opening game at Bournemouth.
Emery appreciates what Watkins offers his Aston Villa side since replacing Steven Gerrard at the helm. He has also seen the Villans’ £28m, rising up to £33m, signing from Brentford in 2020 participate in their training sessions at Bodymoor Heath this Monday and Tuesday.
Ollie Watkins avoiding an injury will delight Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Watkins avoiding an injury that requires a spell on the sidelines will come as a huge boost for Aston Villa. Emery’s side travels to Southampton on Saturday looking to win in back-to-back Premier League fixtures. They have only won two in a row once yet during his tenure.
Aston Villa are also yet to win back-to-back fixtures across all competitions. They lost away to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in between top-flight wins against the Red Devils and Brighton. Watkins scored in the Birmingham club’s 4-2 EFL Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
Watkins also scored against Liverpool in a 3-1 defeat on Boxing Day for his only league goal under Emery. It also remains his most recent strike to sit on four goals, plus four assists, in 21 appearances in all. His lack of a clinical record is often the only aspect holding him back.
“He offers virtually everything bar being a good finisher and that’s a problem,” Michael Owen told Premier League Productions (02/10/22, 19:15).
“When he’s on it, he’s great because he looks like the complete player. But he’s not a consistent finisher. His final touch, before he finishes, is sometimes average. His decision-making. Tiny things.”
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