Unai Emery could not have to decide between Ollie Watkins and John Duran after the England striker is injured in tomorrow’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Watkins has been first-choice in the sole attacking role this season, but Duran has scored six goals off the bench – the most of any player in Europe’s top five leagues, including a brace in the Champions League win in midweek at RB Leipzig. .
The Colombian came on at half-time in Germany with Watkins having a cigarette that could see him miss the short trip to the City Ground.
Emery said: “I don’t know (whether Watkins will be available) because we’re waiting.
“Yesterday (Thursday) he was recovering and this afternoon we will train. If he trains normally and feels good, he will be available tomorrow.”
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Emery was impressed by Watkins
Although Duran has gotten most of the headlines this season, Emery was quick to praise Watkins’ contributions.
The Spaniard added: “Oli started this season in different circumstances than he usually did in previous years because he was in the national team (at Euro 2024).
“His improvement clearly required him to take a step forward in his career and the position is different after playing more games and finishing later.
“He started a bit under his feet and with more pains and injuries, but he was more or less available to help the team and he did fantastic.
“We also had Jhon Duran to help … and be successful as well. That is the best thing for us now – two important strikers, one in John who has great potential and another who is consistent with us.
“Even when he (Watkins) isn’t playing 100 percent because of a little injury, but he’s available to play, he always does his job and is successful in what we need in every game. I can’t say anything bad about him. For us, he is our striker with John Duran and he is a good example for others.”
Villa need to improve their record after the European games
Villa have won just one of their five league games following their Champions League clash this season, but Emery has had no European commitments as an excuse for his inconsistent domestic form.
“We are never going to use this as an excuse to play a lot of matches in Europe because we want to. We have to learn and try to gain experience,” he said.
“The experiences we had last year were fantastic and this year, we have very good experiences in Europe and we play matches that are demanding in our way.
“More or less, we feel comfortable and try to be in our requirements as high as we want. Sometimes there hasn’t been consistency, but it’s our ambition to be consistent going forward with those conditions.”
