Sports25 August, 20263 min read
Unai Emery Refuses To Explain Ollie Watkins Absence As Aston Villa Lose 4-0 To Brighton
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Ollie Watkins did not feature as Villa lost 4-0 to Brighton. Emery questioned Watkins' commitment amid reports he seeks move to Al-Hilal.
Watkins absent, Villa fall
Ollie Watkins was absent as Aston Villa were beaten 4-0 by Brighton in the opening day of the Premier League season, with Unai Emery refusing to give a detailed explanation and instead directing questions back to the striker.
The BBC said Emery bristled when asked why Watkins was not included, quoting him: "This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence," as Villa conceded all four goals in 31 minutes before debutant Joao Gomes was sent off.
The same match was described by Superdeporte as a worst possible start for Emery’s Villa, with the Birmingham side “cayó 4-0 ante el Brighton” and “apenas encontró respuestas” while Watkins was missing from even the squad.
Superdeporte added that Emery avoided explaining the absence, and after the 4-0 kept the same line, saying "Pregúntenle a él" when questioned about Watkins’ situation.
In the background of the defeat, the BBC reported that Al-Hilal have had four offers rejected for Watkins and that the transfer deadline is approaching next Tuesday.
Emery’s silence and pundits
After the Brighton match, Football365 said Emery appeared to question Watkins’ “commitment,” pointing to the striker not being in the Villa squad and to Emery’s post-game approach.
Football365 quoted Emery telling Sky Sports: “This question is for him. Can you call him and make a question to him?” and then adding “Ask him. I only can answer it by silence.”
Football365 also included a reaction from pundit Daniel Sturridge, who said: “Ollie Watkins shouldn’t want to leave Aston Villa,” as Micah Richards discussed how Emery’s comments seemed to suggest Watkins was forcing a move away.
The BBC framed the moment as a perceived insult, noting that Villa lost 4-0 and that Emery’s “silence” answer to Sky Sports’ question on why Watkins was not involved at Brighton “appeared to lay the blame at Watkins’ door.”
The BBC reported that there have been no public comments from Watkins or his representatives, but that he is understood to be open to the move and has made his feelings clear to the Villa hierarchy.
Al-Hilal bids and Villa stakes
The BBC said Al-Hilal have offered close to £40m for Watkins, while it reported that Villa are not near to the asking price and that a deal is still believed to be some way off even as the next Tuesday transfer deadline nears. Football Whispers put the situation in a different frame, stating that the Football Whispers Index score sits at 92 and that “The single most decisive fact is the personal terms agreement itself,” while also saying Watkins has told Unai Emery he wants to leave Aston Villa this summer. Fabrizio Romano’s reported involvement appeared in Fichajes, which said: “Ollie Watkins, out of Aston Villa squad today as talks are underway with Al Hilal.” and added that Al Hilal will bid again after Watkins agreed personal terms with the Saudi side.
The BBC tied the stakes to Villa’s history and goals, saying Watkins has 108 goals in 278 games for Villa after joining from Brentford for a then-record £28m, and that his departure would be the most emotional of this summer’s big exits. It also reported that Villa must resolve Emi Martinez’s future after a second summer of discontent, with a move to Juventus falling through earlier this month, and that the club have signed Zion Suzuki as the number one after his arrival.