Unai Emery has confirmed both Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa are fit and available to feature in Aston Villa’s Premier League clash with Everton this weekend.
Watkins has started all three of Villa’s opening matches in the English top flight this season, though has been replaced in the second half on each occasion by Emery.
And while the striker was selected in Lee Carsley’s England squad during the international break, he subsequently pulled out of the side’s Nations League clashes following assessments with the Three Lions’ fitness team.
Watkins’ withdrawal will no doubt have been a cause for concern at Villa and Ezri Konsa’s injury during England’s win over Finland only added to the Emery’s worries.
But facing the media this afternoon, the Villa head coach reassured supporters that both players had recovered well and were in line to feature against Sean Dyche’s Toffees on Saturday afternoon.
Asked for an update on Watkins’ fitness, Emery told reporters: ‘He is progressing, getting better, feeling better and is in the squad.
‘For tomorrow, he will be available to play.’
Konsa appeared in some discomfort and received lengthy treatment before being replaced by Levi Colwill at Wembley on Tuesday night, but it appears the defender’s issue was not as serious as first feared.
‘The players coming back after playing with their national team, they are in the squad and we don’t have big issues,’ Emery added.
Jhon Duran found the target against both West Ham and Leicester and Emery is pleased to see strong competition for minutes between Villa’s attacking players this season.
‘I’m happy, I want it. I want our players competing with each other to ask questions about their qualities,’ the Spaniard explained.
‘They played last year together sometimes, we can repeat again.
‘Last year they weren’t really in good connection on the pitch but I think Jhon Duran is getting mature, he’s getting confidence.
‘Only Watkins after some small problems and after he came trying to get fitness quick, progressively he is feeling better.
‘They can play individually and they can play together and, of course, I want this until the end of the season. I’m happy with those players in this form.’
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