Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has provided a concerning update on striker Ollie Watkins, revealing the forward has been playing through persistent knee pain for more than a year.
The Ongoing Fitness Battle
Emery explained that Watkins has been managing discomfort in his knee since August of last year, a situation that has significantly impacted his form and output on the pitch. The manager confirmed the club is now closely monitoring the England international's training programme in an attempt to manage the issue.
This revelation comes amidst a stark drop in Watkins' goal-scoring numbers. The 29-year-old has found the net just once in 19 appearances for Villa this season. This poor run extends further back, with only four goals in his previous 33 club outings.
A Stark Contrast to Previous Form
Watkins' current struggles stand in sharp contrast to his prolific performances in recent campaigns. He was a talismanic figure for Villa, scoring 19 Premier League goals in the 2023/24 season and following that up with 16 the following year.
His preparations for the current season were disrupted, however. After representing England at Euro 2024, Watkins missed Villa's pre-season due to fitness concerns, which Emery has now directly linked to the ongoing knee problem.
Teammates Step Up in His Absence
With Watkins not at full fitness, other players have been forced to shoulder the goal-scoring burden. Striker Jhon Durán seized his opportunity, netting four times in the opening five league games and twice in Villa's first three Champions League matches this term.
More recently, Donyell Malen has also impressed when replacing Watkins, contributing goals and tactical work rate. Despite the pain, Watkins has still been a regular starter, featuring from the beginning in 11 of Villa's first 13 league contests this season.
"He's keeping a small pain in his knee since last year when we started the season in August. He was feeling more or less the same pain he's feeling now," Emery stated candidly.
"He's not feeling 100 per cent - we are trying to manage it with him. We are trying to get him completely without pain - and through this, to feel better again, and having the confidence to score goals."
No Surgery Planned, Rest is Key
When directly questioned about whether Watkins might require an operation to resolve the issue, Emery ruled out surgery for now. The manager emphasised a strategy of managed rest and recovery.
"He won't have surgery, for this pain he needs rest," Emery confirmed. "He can play, progressively, hopefully he can feel 100 per cent well and only focus on his play and not on his pain."
The manager gave a recent example of this management, noting Watkins was kept inside with physios instead of training with the main group ahead of a match, but was still expected to be available for selection.
Emery's ultimate goal is clear: to restore Watkins to full fitness and confidence, freeing him from pain and allowing him to rediscover the lethal form that made him one of the Premier League's most feared strikers. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether managed rest can solve a problem that has plagued the player for over 12 months.
