Full story
Watkins absent at Brighton
Aston Villa began their 2026/27 Premier League season with a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with Ollie Watkins left out of the squad and Unai Emery forced to manage without a recognised striker.
“Watkins is keen on the move to Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal have seen at least one bid rejected.”
Emery refused to confirm why Watkins was absent, telling reporters: "Ask him. I only can answer it by silence."
Sky Sports reported that Watkins did not make the trip as discussions about a transfer to Al-Hilal continued, with Villa refusing to authorise the operation for the moment.
The match itself unfolded with Villa lacking a recognised striker and, according to France 24, they were 4-0 down in just over the opening half hour at the Amex Stadium following Victor Lindelof's own goal, a close-range finish from Maxim De Cuyper and two goals in quick succession from Jack Hinshelwood.
After the defeat, Emery insisted it was Watkins's responsibility to explain his absence, saying: "This question is for him. I can't."
Emery points to agent
In his post-match exchange with Sky Sports, Emery told reporter Johnny Phillips: "Can you call him and make a question to him?"
Emery then added that the matter was not for him to answer, saying: "Ask him. I only can answer it by silence."
Football365 framed the comments as a challenge to Watkins's "commitment" as Villa lost 4-0, noting that Watkins was not in the Villa squad to face Brighton on the opening day.
The Economic Times reported that Villa had already turned down four offers from Al Hilal for Watkins, while also saying Emery made it clear the striker's future was not completely settled.
Goal reported that Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed Watkins' absence from the Villa squad and said negotiations with Al-Hilal had reached an advanced stage, with Al-Hilal intending to submit a fresh offer.
Transfer window pressure
The Watkins saga is now tied to the transfer window timeline, with Emery saying the club has "10 days" to find solutions as it weighs whether to sell if a suitable replacement can be brought in.
“My responsibility is to try to analyse, to find solutions and for the transfer window we have 10 days to find solutions”
The Economic Times said Villa would consider a sale if the terms were right and a replacement could be recruited before the transfer window shuts, while also noting that Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans have already moved on and Ezri Konsa's transfer to Arsenal was confirmed on Friday.
Goal described Al-Hilal as having personal terms agreed with Watkins and said everyone now awaits the new offer they will table to convince Aston Villa to part with their striker before the window shuts.
Lente Desportiva reported that Sky Sports said Al-Hilal had proposed €45 millions, about £38,5 millions, and that the offer was rejected, while the Press Association cited by The Independent said Villa had repelled four offers and no agreement was close.
With Villa already reshaped by departures and injuries, the absence of Watkins after the 4-0 loss has left the club facing a decisive choice: keep him and manage the squad, or accept a deal and address the attacking gap before the window closes.