LiveScore Daily: Emery gives positive Watkins injury update

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Just a cut

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says the knee injury suffered by star striker Ollie Watkins in the 4-0 win over Ajax was "no more than a cut".

Watkins, 28, was replaced by Jhon Duran in the 33rd minute of the Europa Conference League last-16 second leg after opening the scoring with a brilliant header from Douglas Luiz's corner.

The ex-Brentford forward could even make the Villans' match against West Ham on Sunday and Emery's positive update suggests he will not withdraw from Gareth Southgate's England squad either.

Emery said: "The injury is not more than a cut on the knee.

"Maybe he is available for Sunday, I think maybe we have to wait for tomorrow and Saturday but it is a cut."

Mo records broken

Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on the returning Mohamed Salah after his record-breaking goal in Liverpool's 6-1 thrashing of Sparta Prague which saw them qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals.

Salah's 10th-minute strike at Anfield was his 20th in all competitions this season — and he is the first Reds player in history to reach that mark in seven consecutive campaigns.

Klopp said: "In seven years together with him, the one problem we never had was consistency.

"Mo is just delivering and delivering and delivering, his desire doesn't stop, his quality is there and his desire to score doesn't stop.

"He has improved in so many aspects since he started here. That's how it is, he will not stop."

Dutch returns

Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay are back in the Netherlands squad for friendlies against Scotland and Germany this month.

Al-Ettifaq midfielder Wijnaldum, 33, earns a first call-up since the Nations League finals last June.

As for 30-year-old Depay, he is back in the international fold for the first time since March 2023 after an injury-ridden 12 months.

Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber, twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, earns his maiden call-up as Ronald Koeman assesses his options ahead of Euro 2024.

Mainoo man

Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo has earned his first call-up to the England Under-21s after a breakthrough season at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old has been one of the Red Devils' top performers in recent months, chalking up 14 top-flight appearances after making his first start in the 3-0 win over Everton in November.

Mainoo joins a stellar cast named by Young Lions boss Lee Carsley for European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Liverpool duo Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott are picked alongside Chelsea pair Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Teenage kicks

Barcelona teenagers Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have been named in Spain's senior squad for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Brazil.

It is a first call-up for defender Cubarsi, 17, while fellow La Masia graduate Yamal, 16, is looking to add to his four caps after debuting last September.

Elsewhere, Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro is back in manager Luis de la Fuente's plans after getting the international nod for the first time since March 2023.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya also earns a spot in the Spain squad after his penalty shootout heroics in the Champions League against Porto.

Klopp's Kid

Liverpool starlet Jayden Danns has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield.

The 18-year-old striker made his senior debut in the 4-1 Premier League win over Luton last month.

Danns also played a key role in the Reds' 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, coming on as a second-half substitute as Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic extra-time winner.

The teenage forward then came off the bench against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round and bagged two goals in front of the Kop to seal a 3-0 victory for Jurgen Klopp's injury-depleted side.

Staying positive

Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland remained positive about his England chances despite being left out of the Three Lions' squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone were the three stoppers selected by manager Southgate.

Butland has been in superb form for Rangers this season, although could not prevent the Scottish club from exiting the Europa League as they lost 1-0 to Benfica in their last-16 second leg and 3-2 on aggregate.

The 31-year-old said after the disappointing result at Ibrox: "If your name's being chucked in [the England squad] it's because you're doing something right.

"When I found out I wasn't in the squad, it was back to normal, continue trying to do what I do here. That's the only reason I've been in those discussions in the first place, because I've been playing and playing well.

"Could I? Should I? It doesn't really matter. I've worked hard enough, I've done enough. Whatever the decision will be, there are three fantastic goalkeepers going. I'll just keep knocking on the door and see what happens."