Aston Villa rocked by injury blow ahead of Man City clash - manager update

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is OUT of the Premier League clash with title-chasing Manchester City, it has been confirmed.

Watkins picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend and will be missing for Wednesday night's game at The Etihad. Villa boss Unai Emery provided an update at his pre-match press briefing. City are aiming to get back to winning ways after the draw with Arsenal and close down leaders and new title favourites Liverpool.

He told a press conference: “They will not be available for tomorrow. They have small injuries. Jacob Ramsey is not getting better like he wants. We are not in a hurry with him. For tomorrow he will not be available. With Ollie, it is more or less the same. Ollie’s injury is a small injury, with some days rest, maybe he could be available for the next match.”

What did the Aston Villa boss say about Man City?

“It’s a tough match and we are respecting them. Playing against Manchester City is very difficult and even more so playing away. Guardiola’s players are some of the best in the world, but we are very excited and very motivated.

“We are doing our way, trying to get better every day and add different players because we are having a lot of bad circumstances with injured players. We are always trying to be positive. When the players we have in the squad are in it’s because we believe in them and their capacity to respond when we need them. Now is the moment.”