Ollie Watkins Injury Concern Casts Shadow Over Aston Villa's European Victory
Aston Villa's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against RB Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday night was tempered by a concerning injury to star striker Ollie Watkins. The England international was forced off during the first half, raising immediate questions about his availability for Sunday's Premier League clash against Brentford.
How the Injury Occurred During Salzburg Match
Watkins could be seen holding his upper leg after attempting to press the Salzburg defence midway through the opening period. Despite continuing briefly, the decision was made to withdraw him from further action. As he walked toward the tunnel, Watkins appeared to mouth 'hamstring' to teammate Lucas Digne before shaking his head and heading to the dressing room for treatment.
The victory itself was secured through goals from Morgan Rogers, Tyrone Mings and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, ensuring Villa finished in the top two of the Europa League league phase and guaranteeing home second legs throughout the knockout stages. However, this positive outcome was overshadowed by yet another injury blow to a key player.
Unai Emery's Cautious Assessment of Watkins' Condition
Manager Unai Emery addressed the situation in his post-match press conference, offering a cautiously optimistic assessment while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Watkins' immediate availability. "He felt something, but not a lot," Emery stated. "We will test him. Hopefully, we are thinking that is not a lot. I don't know if he will be available for Sunday."
This injury adds to Villa's growing list of absentees, with Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans all ruled out for several months due to injuries sustained since the turn of the year. Emery's previous optimism about those players' recoveries makes his current assessment of Watkins particularly noteworthy for supporters.
Fantasy Premier League Implications and Potential Replacements
The timing of Watkins' injury presents significant challenges for Fantasy Premier League managers, with the striker currently valued at £8.8 million and ranked as the third-most expensive forward behind Erling Haaland (£15.0m) and Alexander Isak (£10.3m). The appearance of an injury 'flag' next to his name has created widespread uncertainty among FPL participants.
Given the short turnaround between matches, even a minor hamstring issue makes Watkins unlikely to feature against Brentford, as Villa would be reluctant to risk aggravating the problem. This situation potentially opens the door for new signing Tammy Abraham, who joined from Besiktas for approximately £18.5 million, to make his return to Villa Park with a starting opportunity.
For FPL managers considering replacements, several options present themselves across different price points. Chelsea's Joao Pedro (£7.2m) has emerged as a popular choice following his two-goal performance in Chelsea's Champions League victory at Napoli, while other alternatives include AFC Bournemouth's Evanilson (£7.0m), Brentford's Igor Thiago (£7.2m) and West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m).
More budget-conscious managers might consider cheaper alternatives such as Kroupi Jr (£4.6m), Mateus Mane (£4.5m) or Brian Brobbey (£5.5m). Abraham himself represents an intriguing option at £6.0m, particularly with Villa facing Brentford (H), Bournemouth (A) and Brighton & Hove Albion (H) in their next three fixtures, though this would represent a calculated risk given Watkins' potential for a swift return.
The coming days will provide greater clarity as Villa conduct further assessments on Watkins' condition, with the results likely to remain private until closer to Sunday's match. Supporters and fantasy managers alike will be anxiously awaiting updates on whether Villa's leading striker will be available for the crucial Premier League encounter.
