Unai Emery sees positive injury updates on key players Ollie Watkins and Amadou Onana as they train ahead of Bournemouth test
Aston Villa were encouraged by the sight of two key players – Ollie Watkins and Amadou Onana – back in training as Unai Emery looks to ease mounting injury concerns. Villa could welcome back the pair this weekend after they both trained ahead of the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Neither player featured in last weekend’s 0-1 home defeat to Brentford, a result that underlined how stretched Villa’s squad has become. But Watkins and Onana’s return to training is a positive sign – both were confirmed to be in Thursday’s session while Emery specifically mentioned that the English striker completed Friday’s workout too.
Ollie Watkins was held back after suffering a hamstring issue during the Europa League tie against RB Salzburg, while Amadou Onana was a surprise omission despite starting the matchday on the bench.
In Watkins’ case, the decision was a calculated one. The England international picked up the problem in the first half against Salzburg, and Villa opted against risking him so soon afterwards.
Tammy Abraham was handed his second debut for the club in attack, but Villa struggled to convert possession into clear chances without their leading striker. He did manage to get the ball in the net in the second half to equalise, but VAR overturned the decision after the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Onana’s absence raised more questions. With Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, and John McGinn all out with long-term injuries, the news of the Belgian’s return is a big boost for Emery.
In the press conference before the game, Emery spoke of his importance to the team but pushed the midfielder to find consistency.
“The challenges we have and the challenge he has is there, it’s to try to be consistent,” Emery said.
“Last year, this year, he is sometimes having a small injury. They are not long injuries, but small injuries – two, three, four weeks – and not being consistent and available to play matches.
“But of course, he’s very important, and his potential is still there. When he’s playing ready and 100%, his performances are being fantastic, and I think progressing a lot in one year and a half.
“I think the last matches playing, he was really playing fantastic, but the challenge he has, the challenge I have with him, is to be consistent playing in a row matches and not getting injured.
“But as well, I must be intelligent with him, to try to identify when he can have some risk with the doctors, to play some matches in a row. This is the challenge we have.”
Positive updates on Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka who all missed Arsenal’s open training session yesterday.
“Jurrien is fine,” Mikel Arteta confirmed, although it sounds like Saturday might come too soon for Saka and Odegaard.https://t.co/WMSmyFy6Cx #AFC…
— BBSportNews (@thebbsportnews) February 6, 2026
Emery confirms Watkins return
Emery was asked if Watkins would return to the squad, and the Spaniard confirmed that the player had trained on Thursday and Friday.
“Yes, normally yes. He rested last week because he had a small injury… he was not ready to play. But this week, progressively, he was joining us, training normally, and today he trained normally,” he said.
Emery manages fitness as Villa look for stability
Watkins has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season, and remains central to Villa’s attacking line despite performing at a lower level than last campaign, with his absence against Brentford evident.
Villa will host one more training session on Friday ahead of Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth and there is growing expectation that both players will be available for selection.
There was further positive news on the training ground with January signing Alysson also returning to work. The new arrival is pushing to be included in the squad for the Bournemouth match, which would offer Emery another option at a time when rotation has been limited.