Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been ruled out of Wednesday’s high-profile clash with Manchester City, but could make a swift return for the visit of Brentford this weekend.
The England international suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 2-0 Midlands derby win over Wolves at Villa Park, seeing an early goal ruled out for offside before later being replaced by Jhon Duran at the interval.
After the game, Villa boss Unai Emery expressed hope that Watkins had avoided a serious issue and would undergo a scan having initially felt as if he could play on.
"He was feeling something in his hamstring and I think we have to wait for tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a big injury but it's his hamstring,” Emery said.
"He told us he could play on but the doctor said not to take any risks. We will scan him tomorrow morning and hopefully it will not show a lot, but I don't know."
Emery offered a further update on Watkins before Wednesday night’s trip to face title-chasing Man City at the Etihad Stadium, confirming that the 28-year-old, along with midfielder Jacob Ramsey, would sit out that game but could be in a position to return when former club Brentford visit Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday.
"They will not be available for tomorrow,” Emery said of Watkins and Ramsey at his pre-City press conference. “They have small injuries.
"Jacob Ramsey is not getting better like he wants. We are not in a hurry with him. For tomorrow he will not be available.
"With Ollie, it is more or less the same. Ollie's injury is a small injury, with some days rest, maybe he could be available for the next match."
In addition to top scorer Watkins and Ramsey, Villa are also currently without Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia due to injury, while captain John McGinn will serve the final game of his three-match suspension following his sending off in the heavy 4-0 home defeat by top-four rivals Tottenham last month.
City could have John Stones back against Villa, but Kyle Walker, Ederson and Nathan Ake all look set to miss out.
