Unai Emery lifts lid on Ollie Watkins concern as Aston Villa form explained

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Unai Emery has disclosed that Ollie Watkins is battling knee discomfort that first emerged more than a year ago, with his training programme now being monitored. The frontman has managed just one goal in 19 outings this term, and four strikes in his previous 33 club appearances.

Watkins bagged 19 Premier League strikes during the 2023/24 season, before adding another 16 the following campaign, though he sat out pre-season preparations for the latter due to fitness concerns after representing England at Euro 2024.

Jhon Durán stepped up to shoulder the responsibility whilst Watkins wasn't at peak condition, finding the net four times in the opening five league fixtures and twice in the club's initial three Champions League encounters.

During the summer, Watkins struck five times in pre-season friendlies and appeared razor-sharp, yet his knee troubles have evidently hampered his progress this term, despite featuring from the start in 11 of the club's opening 13 league contests.

"He's keeping a small pain in his knee since last year when we started the season in August. He was feeling more or less the same pain he's feeling now," Emery explained.

"We needed Jhon Duran as a second striker, he scored goals and helped the team. Now he (Watkins) is feeling the same pain.

"He's not feeling the 100 per cent - we are trying to manage it with him. We are trying to get him completely without pain - and through this, to feel better again, and having the confidence to score goals.

"As a striker we can use him, now (Donyell) Malen has been replacing him and doing fantastically, scoring goals, working tactically like we need.

"Watkins, we want him to get the best fitness, with no pain and playing consistently."

When questioned if Watkins requires surgery, Emery responded: "For example, yesterday he did not train, we kept him inside, only with the physios.

"But he will be available for tomorrow. We are trying to get some moments of rest for him. He won't have surgery, for this pain he needs rest.

"He can play, progressively, hopefully he can feel 100 per cent well and only focus on his play and not on his pain."

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