Unai Emery has reduced worries about injury regarding Ollie Watkins after the Aston Villa player was substituted before the first half ended in the Europa Conference League victory over Ajax.
Villa advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament after a significant 4-0 victory over Ajax on Thursday evening.
Watkins scored the first goal at Villa Park but there were major concerns when he was replaced before the first half ended.
The forward attempted to block a free kick in the early stages of Thursday’s second leg clash in the last 16 but collided with goalkeeper Diant Ramaj in the process.
Watkins was observed signaling to the bench for treatment, gripping his left knee before being assisted off the field. He underwent additional treatment on the sidelines with heavy strapping on his knee before returning to the game.
The 28-year-old seemed to have recovered from the knock, rising to score his team’s equalizer after 25 minutes.
However, his happiness was short-lived as he fell to the ground shortly after and was replaced by Jhon Duran eight minutes after scoring.
However, Emery expressed confidence at the end of the game that his key player had avoided serious injury, believing he might even be ready when his team faces West Ham United on Sunday.
‘Yes, I don’t know exactly what the danger of them is,’ Emery told TNT Sport. ‘Watkins was injured but maybe not for Sunday, I think he could be available.’
Leon Bailey, who scored Villa’s second goal of the night, described the injury as ‘really bad’ but suggested it was a cut rather than any ligament or muscle damage.
‘When I saw it, it was really bad. It was a wound, it was really open. I didn’t want him to come off,’ the Jamaica international said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Watkins was included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
The forward has scored 21 goals this season, with 16 of those in the Premier League, in what has been an outstanding campaign under Emery with Villa contending for Champions League qualification.
