Aston Villa: Unai Emery handed major boost as Ollie Watkins returns to start v Brentford
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has made six changes to his starting XI for the Villans’ Premier League showdown against Brentford.
The Villa boss has been busted by a number of players returning from injury and suspension, with John McGinn, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins all returning to the fold alongside Leon Bailey, Yorui Tielemans and Pau Torres.
While the return of McGinn offers a major boost in the middle of the park, it will be Watkins’ presence at the top end of the pitch that will offer Emery’s side a major boost in attack that they lacked against City.
So far this season, Watkins has registered 16 goals and 10 assists in 30 Premier League appearances to be one of the most influential attackers in the Premier League, according to Fotmob.
In his last full game against West Ham United, the 28-year-old was forced to work off of scraps, only having 26 touches in 90 minutes of action, but he still impressed completing 78 per cent of his passes and winning 100 per cent of his ground duels.
The England international also put in one of his best performances of the campaign in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Watkins scored at the Brentford Community Stadium and created two big chances of his teammates.
On the ball, the Villa striker was electric, completing three of his six attempted dribbles while also finding a teammate in claret and blue in the final third with one of his 14 completed passes.
Out of possession, Watkins’ energy can not be matched by most strikers. Against the Bees earlier this season, the 28-year-old was 100 per cent of his attempted tackles, made four ball recoveries and won all of his aerial duels.
Watkins’ last outing in the Premier League saw him have only 12 touches against Wolves before being substituted at halftime. But even in that brief cameo, the Englishman had one big chance to score and three touches in the opposition box.
With Watkins in the starting XI, Villa have a much better chance of booking their place in the Champions League.
Can Aston Villa and Unai Emery book their place in the Champions League?
Pressure is rising at Villa Park with every passing game as Emery and his side know that it will only take a handful more wins to book their place in Europe’s premier competition next season. It won’t be easy, but it is in their hands.
While the last few weeks have seen some inconsistent performances, Emery will be hoping that with McGinn back from suspension and several key players making their way back to match fitness, his side can get back to winning ways.
Brentford won’t make it easy as they have plenty to play before between now and the end of the season, But Villa will know if they play like they did against Wolves last time out at Villa Park, they’re more than capable of claiming all three points.
Ultimately, if Villa want to be playing Champions League football next season, these are the games they simply have to win. Hopefully, they’ll bounce back in fine fashion and claim all three points in front of a packed Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, Emery and Villa would “absolutely” be interested in signing Jack Grealish from Manchester City this summer
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