Aston Villa Faces Injury Crisis as Watkins Departures Raises Concerns

omidbasir- The atmosphere at Villa Park shifted dramatically on Thursday night when Ollie Watkins pulled up while pursuing a through ball in the first half. The 30-year-old immediately grimaced in pain, clutching his hamstring and signaling to the bench for assistance. Although he attempted to continue for an additional 12 minutes, Watkins ultimately had to concede, leaving the field to be replaced by Morgan Rogers.

This injury could not have come at a more inopportune moment for Aston Villa, who currently hold third place in the Premier League, tied on points with Manchester City and just four points behind leaders Arsenal. With the club vying for their first league title since 1981, the sight of their top scorer departing the pitch in distress has sent shockwaves throughout the fanbase.

After the match, coach Unai Emery sought to downplay the severity of the injury but acknowledged that Watkins is now a significant doubt for the upcoming weekend fixture. “He felt something, but not a lot,” the Spaniard stated. “We will conduct tests. Hopefully, we believe it is not serious. I cannot confirm if he will be available for Sunday.”

Emery’s decision to start Watkins has drawn sharp criticism in light of the match’s context. Villa had already secured a top-eight finish in the Europa League prior to kickoff, granting them a bye to the round of 16 and avoiding the risky play-off round. Given that the result against Salzburg had no bearing on their qualification, many expected Emery to rotate his squad extensively to safeguard key players for the domestic title race.

Former Arsenal defender and TNT Sports co-commentator Martin Keown was particularly vocal in his assessment, suggesting that the manager made a significant error in judgment. “In retrospect, he should’ve been rested tonight,” remarked Keown as Watkins exited the field.

The questionable selection was further emphasized by the inclusion of Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool loanee, who has recently been sidelined to avoid triggering a mandatory purchase clause, was granted a rare start, yet the indispensable Watkins was also risked alongside him. This gamble appears to have backfired, leaving Emery facing challenging questions regarding his squad management.

The timing of the injury is especially concerning given the current state of Villa’s squad depth. The club is reportedly close to sanctioning a loan move for backup striker Evann Guessand to Crystal Palace, a transfer now fraught with risk. Should Watkins face an extended spell on the sidelines, Villa could find themselves dangerously short in attack just days before the transfer window closes.

Operating under the scrutiny of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Villa has necessitated the potential exit of squad players. However, if medical scans reveal a tear or significant strain for Watkins, the club’s hierarchy may have to reconsider the departure of Guessand or scramble to secure an emergency replacement.

Rogers, who replaced Watkins, presents a different style of play in the final third, but losing a striker who has been crucial to Villa’s success could derail their momentum at such a critical juncture of the season.

Amidst the injury concerns, the match continued, and Villa’s night took a turn for the worse initially. They gifted Salzburg a shock opener due to a lapse in concentration from captain Tyrone Mings, falling behind 2-0. However, the team exhibited remarkable resilience, staging a spirited comeback that culminated in a fairytale moment for teenage prospect Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, who netted a late winner to secure a 3-2 victory. This result preserved Villa’s momentum, even as concerns for their number 11 lingered.

While the three points maintain Villa’s winning streak, the true cost of the victory will be revealed only after the medical team’s assessment of Watkins’ hamstring. For Emery, the fear remains that a seemingly inconsequential European night may have jeopardized their most significant ambitions.