England manager Thomas Tuchel confirms ‘painful’ Ollie Watkins injury ahead of Aston Villa match against Tottenham Hotspur
England manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why Ollie Watkins returned to his club after suffering an injury in a friendly against Wales.
Villa striker Watkins picked up the injury during England’s 3-0 win on Thursday after colliding with a post almost at the end of the first half while attempting to score what Tuchel described as ‘an easy second goal’ after his earlier tap-in.
The incident left Watkins in pain, through which he initially tried to continue, but he was eventually withdrawn before the start of the second half and replaced by former Villa loanee Marcus Rashford.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia, Tuchel told reporters that the striker would not play in the England game against Latvia.
“Ollie left camp unfortunately,” Tuchel confirmed. “It was too painful. He could not train with us. He is in treatment with his club. He is trying to get ready for the weekend.
“Instead of scoring, he injured himself unfortunately,” said the England manager.
“It was such a big chance, an easy second goal for him. He was unlucky to hit the goalpost.”
Tuchel provides an update on Watkins’ injury
Before Watkins’ injury, the striker had been enjoying a productive October international break.
He was handed a starting role against Wales at Wembley with captain and record scorer Harry Kane injured, and he made an immediate impact by scoring England’s second goal in the 11th minute after his Villa teammate Morgan Rogers had netted the first.
His sharp movement in the box and clinical finish helped England establish early control in what became a 3-0 win.
Despite early-season struggles in front of goal, this latest setback couldn’t have come at a more frustrating time for Villa.
Unai Emery’s side is on an improved run of form, winning four matches in a row across all competitions, including their last two in the Premier League.
Watkins remains the only senior striker available at the club. Losing him, even briefly, would be a major blow as Villa prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Sunday.
Donyell Malen has been in good form for the Netherlands on the international scene, including a goal against Finland.
He scored twice against Burnley with Watkins on the pitch and would be likely to revert to a different role if the England striker doesn’t recover in time to appear in Villa’s first match after the international break.
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