Aston Villa are rivalling West Bromwich Albion for the signature of a rising star from Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
Villa receive Watkins injury boost for trip to Bournemouth
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is back available after a hamstring scare as Aston Villa look to get back to winning ways at Bournemouth.
The 30-year-old, who has scored eight goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, limped off 35 minutes into last Thursday’s Europa League match against RB Salzburg.
Watkins missed the surprise 1-0 home defeat to his former club Brentford but the England international could lead the line at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Asked if the striker would be available at the Vitality Stadium, Villa manager Emery said: “Yes. He rested last week because he had a small injury and he was not ready to play.
“But this week progressively he was joining us, training normally, and today he trained normally.”
John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Andres Garcia remain absent for Villa, who enter the weekend third in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
January signing Alysson is not ready to make his debut but Amadou Onana could start having been an unused substitute against Brentford.
“Amadou Onana, he was not 100 per cent last week,” Emery added. “Lamare Bogarde is always doing his task and helping us a lot but needs to continue getting better.”
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Aston Villa eyeing pre-contract agreement for injured Rangers starlet
According to Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke, Rangers teenager Bailey Rice may have played his last game at Ibrox.
The 19 year-old midfielder is currently sideline with a knee injury, and is showing no signs of extending his contract, which currently runs out at the end of the season.
Both Villa and local rivals West Brom are eyeing a pre-contract agreement – the Premier League outfit have already snapped up one Rangers talent in recent years with Rory Wilson.
“Yeah, look it’s a real possibility. He’s out of contract in the summer, no new deal agreed as yet at Ibrox,” said O’Rourke.
So I’m sure there’s clubs in England looking at a situation ready to bring him down on a pre-contract. Villa and West Brom have been long-term admirers of the midfielder.
“It’s a difficult one for Rangers because he’s been out injured for so long, Bailey Rice has missed the last five months with a serious knee injury.
“He might not return before the end of the season so he could move on after that. Maybe those interested clubs who are looking at Rice might have some concerns over that injury.
“But he’s a very highly-rated young player, made a breakthrough a couple of seasons ago and has made 16 first-team appearances for Rangers.
“He caught the eye when he played against Man United in the Europa League last season as well. Rangers won’t want to let him leave, but they are now susceptible to that situation.”
