Unai Emery confirmed that both Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez will be in the Aston Villa squad for the visit of Brentford on Saturday, although did not confirm that they will play.
Both the Argentina and England internationals missed Villa’s last outing, a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Martinez was struggling with illness, while Watkins had a minor hamstring issue, but the condition of both key players has improved.
‘Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, they could play tomorrow,’ Emery told a press conference on Friday. ‘We will prepare the match. Tomorrow we will know if they are available and ready to play. They will both be in the squad.’
Watkins has had a fantastic season, scoring 16 goals in 30 Premier League games and 22 in all competitions.
He has already scored more top flight goals this campaign than any of his three previous seasons with Villa, with seven games still to come.
There was bad news from Emery on Jacob Ramsey who is set to miss the rest of the season due to his foot injury.
‘Jacob Ramsey is again with some problems in his toe,’ said the Spaniard. ‘He is not going to be available for the rest of the season.’
The 22-year-old has made 16 Premier League appearances this season, scoring one goal, but he will not be involved again this campaign.
.
.