- Ollie Watkins runs for the ball during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Fulham FC
Ollie Watkins was left out of the Aston Villa squad for the Europa Conference League clash with Legia Warsaw.
Ollie Watkins has been left out of the Aston Villa squad against Legia Warsaw after feeling a “small pain” in training, Unai Emery has revealed.
Villa are in Europa Conference League action at Villa Park tonight (Thursday) as they take on Polish side Legia Warsaw. A win of two or more goals will seal their place in the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Villa boss made several changes from the weekend’s 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham. Most notably, Robin Olsen started in goal ahead of Emiliano Martinez.
Striker Watkins was also completely absent from the squad. Speaking to TNT Sport ahead of the game, Emery explained the changes. “We have to manage the players and we want to win today.,” he said. “We want to be first in the group.”
When asked if Watkins’ absence was down to injury or just a rest, the Villa boss added: “Both. He had yesterday small pain. Not very strong. We decided as well to rest him.”
Villa fans will have their fingers crossed that the striker will be fit enough to start when they are next back in Premier League action on Sunday. Villa take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the 2pm kick-off.
Watkins has been a key player since the arrival of Unai Emery. The England man has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions so far this season, including the winner against Tottenham last weekend.
He had scored in Villa’s last two Europa Conference League games against AZ Alkmaar home and away. In the absence of Watkins Jhon Duran has been selected to lead the line against Warsaw.
