Ollie Watkins hoping to form strike partnership at Aston Villa

Watkins bagged his 10th Premier League goal of the season in Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Arsenal, while Duran is the club’s top scorer in all competitions having netted 12 times.

But they have not started a match together this season and Watkins, who scored just before he was about to be replaced by Duran at the Emirates, hopes that can change.

“I feel like I get my goals late on in games," he told Sky Sports.

"It's never nice to be substituted. I feel like me and Jhon (Duran) could start up front together, we haven't had many opportunities to do that.

"It's a work in progress. You have to respect the manager’s decision. Hopefully we can play upfront together."

Villa are sweating on the fitness of Amadou Onana ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League match in Monaco after the midfielder went off at Arsenal with a hamstring problem.

Boss Unai Emery will, meanwhile, be banned from the touchline for next weekend’s Premier League clash with West Ham after picking up his third booking of the season. The Spaniard was yellow carded for kicking the ball away.