Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has addressed concerns over striker Ollie Watkins after the forward was forced off during the club's dramatic victory against RB Salzburg in a midweek fixture.
Injury Scare for Key Villa Striker
Watkins was substituted in the 35th minute of the match at Villa Park, appearing to experience discomfort in his hamstring area. His early exit prompted immediate worry among supporters, given his crucial role in the team's attacking lineup.
The incident occurred shortly after RB Salzburg had taken the lead through Karim Konaté, adding to the tension of the evening. Watkins was replaced by Morgan Rogers, who went on to play a significant part in Villa's comeback.
Emery's Cautious Assessment
Speaking to the media after the match, Emery provided a preliminary update on Watkins' condition. "He felt something, but not a lot," the Villa boss confirmed. "We will test him. Hopefully, we are thinking that is not a lot. I don't know if he will be available for Sunday."
This uncertainty places Watkins as a major doubt for Villa's upcoming Premier League fixture against Brentford at Villa Park this weekend, a match where his presence would typically be considered vital.
Villa's Mounting Injury Concerns
The potential absence of Watkins compounds an already significant injury crisis for Unai Emery's squad. The club is currently without several key players for extended periods:
- Boubacar Kamara has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
- Captain John McGinn is sidelined for approximately six weeks.
- Midfielder Youri Tielemans is expected to miss around eight weeks of action.
This spate of injuries is testing the depth and resilience of the Villa squad during a busy period of the campaign.
Potential Replacement Options
Should Watkins be unavailable for selection against Brentford, attention turns to who might lead the line for Aston Villa. The recent return of Tammy Abraham could prove timely.
Abraham rejoined the club earlier this week in an £18 million transfer from Besiktas, setting the stage for a potential second debut. The experienced striker may now be called upon to spearhead the attack if Watkins fails to recover in time.
Dramatic Victory Despite Setback
Despite the early loss of Watkins, Aston Villa managed to secure a memorable comeback victory against their Austrian opponents. After falling two goals behind, Morgan Rogers scored to reduce the deficit before Tyrone Mings equalised.
The winning goal arrived in the 88th minute, scored by youngster Jamal Jimoh-Aloba in front of the Holte End, with the assist provided by Kadan Young. This result demonstrated the squad's character and ability to overcome adversity.
As Villa prepare for their weekend Premier League commitment, all eyes will be on the medical assessments of Ollie Watkins. His fitness could significantly influence Villa's attacking potency as they seek to maintain their momentum in domestic competition.
