Emery shares Watkins injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
Unai Emery will be in no mood to lose one of his star players before Aston Villa travel to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Villans have experienced some rocky form over the past few weeks, going on an eight-game winless streak from October to the start of December, which has finally been rectified at Villa Park.
With back-to-back Premier League wins against Brentford and Southampton, the wind is finally back in Emery's sails, especially after a dramatic 3-2 win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday 10 December.
However, Watkins' substitution will have dampened the celebrations a little, and now Emery has confirmed the worst concern before Villa's clash with Forest on 14 December.
Speaking to the media [BirminghamMail], he said: "The idea when we prepare the game the plan is also for the subs to help if we needed it. Watkins had a small injury and Duran scores."
Ollie Watkins set to miss Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest?
While Jhon Duran has been a revelation this season, Emery would hate to face highflyers Forest without his star striker, especially away from home at The City Ground.
Watkins is currently Villa's leading goalscorer in the league, with seven goals to his name, and has finished as the top scorer for the last four seasons at Villa Park.
With an xG of 8.8 so far [FotMob], there is an argument to be made that he is still underperforming, and the striker will be desperate to improve his record at the weekend.
Although the 28-year-old was unable to score against Leipzig, he did notch an assist, complete 90 per cent of his passes, maintained a 100 per cent shot accuracy and created three chances [FotMob].
His last start was even more impressive - the 3-1 win over Brentford - scoring and assisting, hitting the target with 80 per cent of his shots, completing 100 per cent of his dribbles and winning three fouls [FotMob].
Duran has done a fine job as Watkins' understudy but his new injury will certainly be a concern ahead of the weekend's trip to The City Ground.
In other Aston Villa news, Tim Sherwood was stunned by a "brilliant" moment in the 3-2 win over RB Leipzig.