Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has reportedly returned from England duty early after suffering an injury issue last week against Wales.
The 29-year-old scored in that game as England registered a 3-0 win, with Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa also involved in the other two goals on a positive night from a Villa perspective.
Unfortunately though, Watkins was replaced at half-time after colliding with the post in the first half, and it appears as though the knock that he sustained has forced him to head back to Birmingham earlier than planned.
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As per The Express and Star’s Matt Maher, Watkins has returned to the club for further treatment after withdrawing from the England squad early, as he hasn’t recovered from the knock that he suffered against Wales and won’t be available for selection against Latvia this week.
Time will tell if the Villa talisman will recover in time to face Tottenham on Sunday, as although he’s only managed one goal and no assists in 10 appearances so far this season, he remains a fundamental presence in the side when leading the line in the final third.
Unai Emery will perhaps have to look toward one of Donyell Malen or Morgan Rogers to fill that void if Watkins isn’t ready to start as Villa have a lack of natural alternatives in that position, and so it’s hoped that we’re not without our influential frontman for long, if at all.
Nevertheless, Malen has shown his class in front of goal in recent games while Rogers will be buoyed by his assist against Burnley before getting on the scoresheet for England last week, and so it’s hoped that as the confidence builds within the group, we’re able to overcome any injury setbacks and maintain our recent improved form.
Emery will already be without midfielder Youri Tielemans for an extended period after he suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf problem, and that’s also a bitterly disappointing blow given the influence that the Belgian ace has in the side, and so it would be another massive setback if we’re without another pillar of the side this weekend in Watkins.