Villa ‘waiting’ on top scorer’s injury as Emery calls Forest ‘amazing’

Aston Villa top scorer Ollie Watkins could miss his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (5.30pm GMT) with the thigh injury that forced him off at half-time during their 3-2 win at Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Striker Watkins did not start for the first time in Villa’s Premier League campaign as Unai Emery’s side won 1-0 at home to Southampton on Saturday, and the Spaniard has praised the 28-year-old’s contribution since his return from impressing for England at Euro 2024 in June and July.

“I don’t know because we are waiting,” Emery said of Watkins’ potential return, adding that the man who has seven goals and three assists in 15 top-flight appearances in 2024/25 was “recovering” on Thursday.

“We are going to train [on Friday] and if it is the case that he is training as normal and feeling good, he’s going to be available. If [he’s] not, [then] not.”

Focus on #NFOAVL 👀 pic.twitter.com/CtXFFXZxC1

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 12, 2024

Ollie Watkins stats

Watkins had a memorable impact during 59 minutes across three substitute appearances for the Three Lions in Germany, scoring the last-gasp winner in their semi-final victory over the Netherlands.

He started the season by going three games without a goal before producing five goals and five assists in Villa’s subsequent five league matches.

“His pre-season was different after playing more matches and finishing [the previous season] later,” acknowledged Emery. “He started a little bit with some small pain and injuries, but he was available to help the team and he did fantastically in August, when we were struggling a little bit and progressively he was getting better.

Onto our next test. 👊

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 13, 2024

“Even when he’s playing not 100%, he’s always doing his work and being successful in everything we need in each match. I can’t say anything bad about him.

“He’s our striker with Jhon Duran and a good example for others. He’s been here for five years and feels something special here because his commitment is so high.”

Jhon Duran ‘important’ for Villa

Duran had been used as Watkins’ understudy in the league before starting against Saints, scoring the only goal of the game in the 24th minute.

The Colombia forward established a reputation as a prolific substitute during Villa’s first five league games, scoring four times from the bench.

Seven minutes after replacing Watkins, the 21-year-old scored to put Villa 2-1 ahead in Leipzig as they won for the fourth time across their six league phase matches.

🎶 Jhon Durán is on my mind
and he’s Villa’s number 9 🎶

Wishing Jhon a very happy birthday! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/uSWa66zdBK

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 13, 2024

“We’ve had [Duran] to help and to sub [on for Watkins], playing with the structure we have and being successful,” said Emery.

“This is the best for us now: two important strikers. One is young with a big potential and the other is always consistently playing with us.”

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Seventh-placed Villa have won three consecutive matches in all competitions but have lost their last three Premier League away games.

Forest won 3-2 at Manchester United on Sunday, improving on their run of three defeats in four matches and lifting Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to fifth.

For the second time this season. 🏆

Nuno and his team have been awarded the @LMA_Managers‘ Performance of the Week for our win at Manchester United. 👏 pic.twitter.com/tGok6WhOou

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 13, 2024

“They are doing an amazing job [and having] an amazing season,” said Emery. “Last season, we played in different circumstances and lost [2-0] there.

“I know how many difficulties we are going to face tomorrow. [Santo’s] got a very competitive team and they are rivals who we’re trying to fight in the table for a European position. I’m excited, I’m motivated and I respect them a lot.”