Unai Emery delivers message to Aston Villa striker duo
Unai Emery has told Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham they must be ready to share the workload up front for Villa.
Abraham’s first goal since joining last month in an £18.2million move from Besiktas was the biggest positive of Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Newcastle.
Emery has been encouraged by the speed at which the 28-year-old has gotten up to speed after signing him to ease the burden on Watkins, his long-time talisman.
The latter has scored just eight times in 36 appearances in a season where he has been struggling with a knee issue.
Emery says both strikers have big roles to play in the final part of the campaign, after praising Abraham’s performance in just his second start since re-joining the club.
“He played a fantastic game and he scored one goal,” said the boss. “He worked like we were tactically planning.
“He has shown that his adaptation is going well. We will need Watkins and Abraham to help us in different moments.”
Villa have no fears over Emi Buendia’s fitness after the playmaker needed treatment late on during Saturday’s defeat.
Emery explained Buendia had received a “hard kick” in the closing seconds of the match.
Villa host Leeds on Saturday aiming to strengthen their grip on a top-four Premier League position.
