Aston Villa are in a rivalry with West Bromwich Albion over the signing of the rising star from Scottish Premiership aspect Rangers.
Villa obtain damage therapy for Watkins forward of Bournemouth journey
Supervisor Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins will be capable to return from a hamstring pressure as Aston Villa look to get again to profitable methods at Bournemouth.
The 30-year-old, who has scored eight targets in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, limped off after 35 minutes of final Thursday’s Europa League match in opposition to RB Salzburg.
Watkins suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at residence to his former membership Brentford, however the England worldwide might be within the lead in opposition to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Requested if the striker can be obtainable on the Vitality Stadium, Villa supervisor Emery replied: “Sure, he rested final week as a result of he had a slight damage and was not able to play. He rested final week.”
“However regularly this week he joined us and skilled usually and right now he skilled usually.”
John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Camara and Andres Garcia stay absent for Villa, who head into the weekend in third place within the Premier League, seven factors behind leaders Arsenal.
Alisson, who signed in January, is just not able to make his debut, however Amadou Onana may begin as an unused substitute in opposition to Brentford.
“Amadou Onana, he wasn’t 100% final week,” Emery added. “Lamare Bogard at all times does his job and helps us lots, however he must maintain getting higher.”
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Aston Villa deal with pre-contract settlement with injured Rangers star
Rangers teenager Bailey Rice might have performed his last sport at Ibrox, in response to Soccer Insider’s Pete O’Rourke.
The 19-year-old midfielder is at the moment sidelined with a knee damage and there are at the moment no indicators of extending his contract, which expires on the finish of the season.
Villa and native rivals West Brom are eyeing a pre-contract settlement. The Premier League crew has already acquired Rory Wilson from Rangers lately.
“Sure, that is an actual chance. He is out of contract in the summertime and he hasn’t but agreed a brand new contract at Ibrox,” O’Rourke stated.
I’m due to this fact positive that the English membership is contemplating a state of affairs the place they’re ready to dump him on a pre-contract. Villa and West Brom have lengthy admired the midfielder.
“It is tough for Rangers, he is been out for a very long time with an damage and Bailey Rice has been out for the final 5 months with a severe knee damage.
“He might not return till the top of the season, so we are able to transfer on after that. Possibly golf equipment which are maintaining a tally of Rice could also be involved about that damage.”
“However he’s a highly-rated younger participant who made his breakthrough a number of seasons in the past and has made 16 first-team appearances for Rangers.
“Final season, he attracted consideration when he performed in opposition to Man United within the Europa League. Rangers will not wish to let him go, but it surely’s straightforward to get into that state of affairs now.”
