OLLIE WATKINS suffered what could be a costly blow to Aston Villa as he hobbled off with a hamstring injury in a European dead rubber.
Villa were guaranteed one of the Europa League‘s eight automatic knockout qualification spots even before a ball was kicked against RB Salzburg tonight.
And that was reflected in boss Unai Emery’s line-up as he named a much-changed side featuring 18-year-old George Hemmings, Tyrone Mings and the lesser-spotted Harvey Elliott.
One of the only exceptions to the mass rotation was Watkins starting up top.
The 30-year-old is Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals.
And given that the West Midlands side are only four points behind leaders Arsenal, and still in the title hunt with 15 games to play, Emery will be desperate to have all hands on deck between now and the end of the campaign.
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But he could now be without Watkins for a period of weeks as the striker winced in pain and clutched his hamstring before limping off in the 35th minute to be replaced by Morgan Rogers.
One despairing Villa fan wrote on X: “Ollie Watkins hurt in a meaningless Europa League game for Aston Villa. Disaster.”
Another chimed in with: “Watkins off injured, Villa cursed in the past couple of weeks. Surprised they brought Rogers on tbh.”
And a third commented: “They’re so cooked.”
Watkins’ replacement, Morgan Rogers, ended up inspiring a turnaround in the game.
The attacking midfielder restored hope after Villa went 2-0 down, firing into the bottom corner, before Mings and youngster Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba made it 3-2.
Two of Villa’s new signings were at Villa Park tonight – and both of them may be thrown straight in at the deep end.
With Watkins facing a spell in the treatment room, £18million recruit Tammy Abraham looks set to be given a run in the side.
The 28-year-old, signed from Besiktas, enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons of his career on loan at Villa Park in 2018-19, scoring 26 goals.
Emery may need some of those attacking instincts if Villa are to maintain their title charge.
The other returning new boy, Douglas Luiz, is also sorely needed amid a wave of midfield injury woes.
Boubacar Kamara is out for the season, while Youri Tielemans and John McGinn are both facing months out.
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