Why isn’t Ollie Watkins playing against Manchester City?

Aston Villa will be without top scorer Ollie Watkins for the trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Englishman has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, a major blow for Unai Emery’s men as they look to do the double over City. Speaking to reporters ahead of the game at the Etihad Stadium The Villa boss described it as a “small injury”.

He said: “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.”

Villa currently sit in fourth spot in the Premier League but they are just three points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have a game in hand.Watkins has scored 16 Premier League goals this season, level with Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke in joint-second. Only Manchester City star Erling Haaland (18 goals) has scored more.

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Watkins, now 28, is in his fourth season with Aston Villa and has blossomed into one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League. He worked his way up through the divisions with Exeter City and Brentford and has now established himself as a regular fixture in the English national team.

His absence will be a major loss for Villa as they travel to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s City were held to a 0-0 draw by title challengers Arsenal on Sunday and will be eager to return to winning ways after losing ground on league leaders Liverpool. Emery will need to find an alternative source for Watkins’ vital goals if they are to further frustrate Manchester City.