Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has provided a key fitness update on Ollie Watkins ahead of their Premier League clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday. The Spanish coach also hinted that new signing Axel Disasi could make his debut following his loan move from Chelsea.
After a rough patch of form, with just two points from their last three league matches, Villa is eager to bounce back against relegation-threatened Ipswich.
However, concerns over Watkins’ availability arose after the striker was forced off at halftime during the 2-0 defeat to Wolves and missed the FA Cup victory over Tottenham.
Watkins, who has been dealing with a muscle injury, is a crucial player for Villa, contributing 11 goals and nine assists this season across all competitions. But ahead of the weekend fixture, Emery confirmed the England international is fit and ready to play.
“Still out for tomorrow are Matty Cash, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley,” Emery said in his pre-match press conference. “Those who have trained this morning with the group and are in the squad are Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins.”
The timing of Watkins’ return is crucial, as Villa faces a challenging schedule with matches against league leaders Liverpool and top-four contenders Chelsea coming up.
Meanwhile, with Torres and Konsa sidelined and Mings only just returning to training, there’s a strong possibility that Disasi will make his debut in central defense. The Frenchman struggled for regular game time at Chelsea but now has a fresh opportunity at Villa Park.
Another high-profile loanee, Marcus Rashford, could also feature after joining from Manchester United, as Emery looks to reshape his squad following a busy January transfer window.
When asked if he was satisfied with his squad’s balance, Emery remained focused on the club’s long-term progress.
“Yes, but my opinion on how we are doing is always evolving,” he said. “Each match is an opportunity to see if we are getting stronger, closer to our objectives, and meeting our demands.”
With Villa still competing in the FA Cup, Champions League, and Premier League, the next few months will be a critical test for Emery’s squad as they aim to solidify their place among England’s elite.