Unai Emery has come under criticism after Ollie Watkins picked up an injury during Aston Villa’s Europa League tie with Salzburg, with some questioning why the striker was not rested.
Watkins started the European fixture as Villa looked to get the job done against Salzburg, but the forward was forced to stop and receive treatment after going down. He was eventually replaced, leaving Villa to finish the game without their main No.9.
The incident quickly led to reaction online, where supporters and observers suggested Watkins “should’ve been rested”, pointing to the workload he has carried and the importance of keeping him fit for the business end of the season.
Emery has leaned heavily on Watkins across competitions, with the England international one of Villa’s most important players under the Spaniard. The injury in Austria has now raised concerns over his availability for upcoming matches.
It was also revealed that Watkins had been carrying a problem before the Salzburg game, which has only increased the criticism around the decision to start him.
Villa have yet to confirm the full extent of the issue, but the striker’s early withdrawal will be a worry for Emery as the club continues to fight on multiple fronts.
