Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been ruled out of Wednesday’s trip to title-chasing Manchester City.

The England international picked up a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolves. He wanted to carry on after half-time but the doctor advised him not to risk it.

Villa boss Unai Emery says it is a ‘small injury’ but enough to rule him out of the trip to the Etihad Stadium, along with Jacob Ramsey who has been missing since the start of last month with a foot problem.

Emery said at his pre-match press conference: ‘They will not be available for tomorrow. They have small injuries.

‘Jacob Ramsey is not getting better like he wants. We are not in a hurry with him. For tomorrow he will not be available.The England international picked up a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolves

‘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 beat City in the reverse fixture but Emery knows Wednesday night’s game is a different test.

‘It’s a tough match and we are respecting them,’ the Spaniard added. ‘Playing against Manchester City is very difficult and even more so playing away.

‘(Pep) Guardiola’s players are some of the best in the world, but we are very excited and very motivated.

‘We are doing our way, trying to get better every day and add different players because we are having a lot of bad circumstances with injured players.

‘We are always trying to be positive. When the players we have in the squad are in it’s because we believe in them and their capacity to respond when we need them. Now is the moment..

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