The short version
- Ollie Watkins was omitted from Aston Villa's starting lineup for their season-opening defeat to Brighton, a move that head coach Unai Emery declined to explain publicly.
- Saudi club Al-Hilal has submitted multiple offers totaling nearly £40 million, though Villa maintains a significantly higher valuation for their all-time top scorer.
- The potential exit of Watkins coincides with other major squad changes, including the unresolved future of goalkeeper Emi Martinez and the departure of several key midfielders.
Aston Villa’s campaign began with a stark display of internal tension as striker Ollie Watkins was left out of the starting eleven for their Premier League opener against Brighton. The decision drew immediate scrutiny, particularly after the club suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in which they conceded all four goals within the first thirty-one minutes and saw debutant Joao Gomes receive a red card. When questioned by reporters regarding Watkins’ absence, head coach Unai Emery offered no substantive explanation, stating only that he would respond with silence and directing inquiries to the player himself.
This public standoff appears to be the culmination of a private rift between the striker and the club’s hierarchy. Watkins has reportedly made his desire to leave clear to management after returning from an extended break following the World Cup. He has been training separately from the main squad, signaling a breakdown in the usual team dynamics. While neither Watkins nor his representatives have issued public statements confirming the split, insiders suggest the striker is open to moving abroad, specifically to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal, a prominent club in the Saudi Pro League, has submitted four separate offers for Watkins, with valuations approaching £40 million. These bids fall well short of Aston Villa’s asking price, and the club remains determined to play hardball as the transfer deadline approaches. Negotiations are further complicated by regulatory constraints; Al-Hilal may need to offload one of their overseas players to create space in their roster for a new signing, adding another layer of complexity to any potential deal.
The prospect of Watkins leaving represents a significant emotional and tactical blow for Villa. The thirty-year-old has scored 108 goals in 278 appearances since joining from Brentford for a then-record fee of £28 million. He has been central to the club’s rise over the past six years, including their historic Europa League victory in Istanbul, which ended a three-decade trophy drought. His work rate and goal-scoring consistency have made him one of the club’s most recognizable figures, and his departure would mark the end of an era for the organization.
Those within the club are reportedly surprised by the acrimonious nature of the potential breakup. Watkins has previously demonstrated loyalty and resilience in similar situations, such as when he pleaded with former Exeter manager Paul Tisdale to allow him to play amid transfer interest in 2017. Given his grounded personality and family-oriented demeanor, the current standoff contrasts sharply with his past behavior. The difficulty in resolving the situation may stem from the genuine attachment both the player and the club feel toward one another.
Compounding the uncertainty surrounding Watkins is the ongoing saga involving goalkeeper Emi Martinez. After a failed move to Juventus earlier this month due to financial disagreements, Martinez’s future remains unresolved. The arrival of Zion Suzuki as the new number one has intensified pressure on the Argentine international to find a new home. Villa must navigate these simultaneous departures while managing the expectations of fans and sponsors who have grown accustomed to stability under Emery.
Rebuilding the squad will require significant investment and strategic planning. Villa is already working to replace defender Ezri Konsa, having rejected two bids from Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The potential loss of Watkins makes finding a suitable striker even more urgent. While teenager Brian Madjo is available after a successful Fifa registration battle, he is too young to shoulder the responsibility of leading the attack. Emery has identified Nicolas Jackson as a primary target, leveraging their previous relationship at Villarreal, but no direct contact has been made with Manchester United regarding Joshua Zirkzee.
The broader context of this transfer window involves significant turnover in Villa’s core group. Alongside Watkins and Martinez, the club has seen the exits of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne, all of whom contributed to last season’s successes. Tammy Abraham, who joined in January, remains at the club and is reportedly happy, but his role may shift depending on whether Watkins departs. Emery faces the challenging task of forging a new identity for the team while maintaining competitive performance levels in both domestic and European competitions.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Watkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming
