Aston Villa have been handed a major boost ahead of the UEFA Super Cup after Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa returned to training.
Unai Emery had been facing doubts over both players before Wednesday’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain following their extended post-World Cup breaks.
Villa face the Champions League holders in Salzburg with the first trophy of the new season available.
ReadAstonVilla’s original PSG team-news preview listed both Watkins and Konsa among the major fitness doubts because neither had returned to full pre-season work at that stage.
Aston Villa receive Watkins and Konsa boost before PSG
ESPN reports that Watkins and Konsa have now joined Aston Villa’s pre-season training ahead of the final.
Both players are also included in Villa’s official UEFA Super Cup squad, keeping them firmly in contention to feature against PSG.
Their return gives Emery two significant decisions.
Watkins remains Villa’s leading senior striker and would provide the pace required to threaten PSG behind their defensive line. Tammy Abraham and Evann Guessand provide alternatives if Emery believes Watkins is not ready to start.
Konsa’s availability could be equally important.
Arsenal continue to pursue the England defender, but ReadAstonVilla reported on Tuesday that Villa remain determined to receive more than £60million before considering a sale.
For now, his immediate focus can return to matters on the pitch.
Villa still have injury problems. Amadou Onana and Johan Manzambi remain unavailable, while John McGinn has recently been monitored following a knee problem.
Watkins and Konsa returning therefore gives Emery some much-needed senior quality before one of Villa’s biggest games of the year.
Whether either is ready for 90 minutes remains uncertain, but simply having both available strengthens Villa’s options considerably.
