Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins came off in the 62nd minute of their UEFA Champions League tie against Young Boys after a solid performance.
The Villa centre-forward put in a hardworking display up top and had a goal inexplicably disallowed for a handball. However, upon replay, it became evident that the ball struck his body, not his arm.
Chalked-off goal notwithstanding, Villa claimed a healthy 3-0 win over their Swiss counterparts to open their Champions League campaign with a comfortable three points on the league board.
Villa’s win was excellent, but manager Unai Emery will be worried about the fitness of his first-choice striker, whom he took off for Jhon Duran.
After coming off, the England international was pictured with an ice pack on his ankle, and the Villains will be waiting anxiously to see any developments.
Cameras show Ollie Watkins sitting on the bench with ice on his ankle pic.twitter.com/MsRX8WAdNQ
— The FPL Bois (@thefplbois) September 17, 2024
Watkins has been outstanding for Villa, spearheading the club back into the Champions League after four decades away. Emery described him as fantastic after his brace to earn his side a draw against Brentford towards the end of last season.
After a tough start this season that saw him miss four big chances in his first three games, he bounced back against Everton.
Watkins bagged a brace against Everton over the weekend to pull Villa back from two goals down before Duran netted the winner.
Many hoped to see Watkins and Duran start together in the Champions League, but Emery opted to pair Morgan Rogers with the Torquay-born star. The collaboration yielded results. They were both involved in the second goal.
Next, Villa face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this weekend, while their second Champions League tie is against Bayern Munich on October 2.
Villa and Emery will be sweating on Watkins’ fitness ahead of their coming games. They need their talisman as the games come thick and fast.
