Unai Emery has delivered a cautiously optimistic injury update regarding Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, alongside confirming the return of midfielder Ross Barkley, as the team prepares for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Brentford this Sunday.
Ollie Watkins Injury Assessment
The focal point of concern for Villa supporters is the fitness of key forward Ollie Watkins. The striker was forced to leave the pitch during the first half of Thursday night's victory over RB Salzburg, appearing to signal discomfort in his hamstring area before being substituted in the 35th minute.
Manager Unai Emery addressed the situation following a scan conducted on Friday. "Watkins, we will see tomorrow. Today he had a scan, and it’s not a clear injury," Emery stated. "He was tired yesterday and the scan is not giving us bad information. We will see tomorrow if he’s not feeling comfortable or if he’s feeling comfortable to decide to be with us on Sunday."
This update suggests the issue may be more related to fatigue than a significant muscular tear, offering hope that Watkins could be available for selection against Brentford, pending a final assessment of his comfort levels on Saturday.
Squad News: Returns and Absences
In more definitive positive news, the Villa squad has been bolstered by the return of Ross Barkley to full training. The midfielder participated in a normal session with the group at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon. "Ross Barkley is coming back, training with us. Today, normal training with the group, and maybe we can include him in the squad," confirmed Emery.
However, the injury list remains significant for Villa. Emery confirmed that Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Andres Garcia, and Alysson will all be ruled out of the Brentford encounter, continuing their spells on the sidelines.
Historical Context and Recent Form
Aston Villa will be looking to leverage their strong historical record at home against Brentford. The statistics show that Villa have never lost in their ten previous Premier League meetings with the Bees at Villa Park, recording four wins and six draws. This represents the most times Villa have faced any side at home in the league without suffering a defeat.
Nonetheless, the team's formidable eight-game winning streak at home in the Premier League was recently halted by a 1-0 defeat to Everton. Villa will be determined to avoid consecutive home league losses, a feat they have not experienced since February 2024, as they aim to get back to winning ways in front of their own supporters.
The availability of Ollie Watkins, should he be passed fit, would provide a major boost to Villa's attacking options as they seek to overcome Brentford and improve their league standing.
