{"id":301058,"date":"2023-12-01T09:24:24","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T09:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=301058"},"modified":"2023-12-01T09:24:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T09:24:24","slug":"unai-emery-reveals-ollie-watkins-is-dealing-with-a-small-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/unai-emery-reveals-ollie-watkins-is-dealing-with-a-small-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Unai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins is 'dealing with a small pain'"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ollie Watkins was absent during Aston Villa’s Europa League clash against Legia Warsaw on Thursday because he is ‘dealing with a small pain’, Unai Emery has revealed.<\/p>\n
In-form Watkins was left out of Aston Villa’s squad as 19-year-old reserve striker\u00a0Jhon Duran started at centre-forward during the 2-1 victory at Villa Park.<\/p>\n
Moussa Diaby fired the hosts in front in the fourth minute before Ernest Muci levelled terms midway through the first half.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alex Moreno then sealed the victory with a second-half strike from close range to keep Aston Villa’s spot at the top of their group.<\/p>\n
Villa fans will be concerned by Watkins’ absence, given that the England international has already made 20 appearances this season and scored 12 times across all competitions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ollie Watkins (above) is ‘dealing with a small pain’, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The manager cast doubt over the striker’s availability for this weekend’s trip to Bournemouth<\/p>\n
Asked whether Watkins missed out due to an injury or simply a precaution, Emery said:\u00a0\u2018Both. He had a small pain yesterday. Not very strong. We decided as well to rest him.\u2019<\/p>\n
With a busy run of games on the horizon over the festive period, Aston Villa will be keen to keep their talisman fit and firing after a fruitful start to the campaign.<\/p>\n
Villa take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, having leapt into the top four after beating Tottenham 2-1 last weekend.<\/p>\n
Playing down his side’s top four chance last week, Emery told Mail Sport: ‘There are seven teams who are contenders more than us for the top seven positions.\u00a0While we are there we are going to try to enjoy it and keep it.<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watkins scored the winner during Aston Villa’s triumphant 2-1 win over Tottenham last week<\/p>\n
\u2018Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We can get confidence from wins like this (Tottenham). But it is still clear in my mind, we need balance. It\u2019s 38 games, we have to show consistency.<\/p>\n
\u2018We are in a good position and not a contender but while we are there we have to try to keep it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘We have to be happy, we have to enjoy and be demanding as well.’<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n