Aston Villa Manchester City Emery
Unai Emery has a decision to make for Aston Villa v Manchester City
Max Wilkins
Thu 19 December 2024 16:40, UK
Unai Emery has been handed an Ollie Watkins boost after he was spotted in Aston Villa training before the Manchester City clash.
The Villans welcome Pep Guardiola’s side to Villa Park on Saturday (21 December) and will be keen to take advantage of the Champions’ recent poor form.
Villa will also be eager to bounce defeat last time out against Nottingham Forest where the England international started as a substitute.
This was due to an injury sustained against RB Leipzig in the Champions League but there is a chance of him making a telling impact against the Citizens.
Ollie Watkins Aston Villa training image emerges before Manchester City clash
The 28-year-old has fallen victim to the success of Jhon Duran in recent weeks which has seen fans demand for the Colombia international to start more regularly.
Regardless of this, Watkins remains the top scorer in B6 so far this campaign with seven strikes, edging out his 21-year-old counterpart by one goal.
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The striker has been spotted in training at Bodymoor Heath in an image shared by Villa on X on Thursday (19 December).
This could allow Emery to welcome the former Brentford man back to the starting XI for the visit of City and that could prove to be a boost.
In his last start, which came against Leipzig, the Englishman grabbed an assist while maintaining a 90 per cent pass accuracy in his 45-minute showing [FotMob].
Despite operating as a solo striker, Watkins created two other chances but was also able to get a shot off with 100 per cent accuracy.
The former Exeter City youngster has always been famed for his pressing from the front which also saw him contribute with three defensive actions and two recoveries at the Red Bull Arena.
Defensively, the 28-year-old contributed to three times as many defensive actions which just shows the difference between the two.
Welcoming this pressing force back at Villa Park against one of the best sides in the league could prove to be a superb weapon for Emery to utilise.
In other Aston Villa news, an exit may now be sanctioned in an exciting player trade with AC Milan.
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