Ollie Watkins is officially on his way out, folks, and manager Unai Emery just dropped a bombshell: the departing striker actually apologized for refusing to play for Aston Villa on Sunday. Watkins, who is expected in Saudi Arabia this Friday to finalize a massive £51m move to Al-Hilal, admitted he made a mistake after the Brighton match, telling Emery he was sorry.
Watkins’ Apology And An Emotional Goodbye
It’s tough to see a club legend go, even with drama. Watkins, a 30-year-old England forward, is Villa’s record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, and 108 overall since joining from Brentford for £28m back in 2020. Emery praised Watkins’ overall commitment and behavior during his time with the club, calling him a “fantastic guy , a fantastic guy even more than a player.” Despite the hiccup against Brighton, Emery and the squad accepted the apology. The manager even got choked up saying goodbye, admitting he told Watkins “bye” with “a huge hug and with small tears.” That tells you everything you need to know about the bond there.
New Faces And The Road Ahead
With Watkins’ departure, Villa is already moving on, poised to finalize the signing of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson for a whopping £65m as his replacement. Emery is pushing hard to get the Senegal striker registered for Monday’s visit from Arsenal. It’s a full rebuild, with Leon Goretzka also completing a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Emery is urging supporters to back the club’s strategy, even with several key figures from their successful 2025-26 season now gone. He called the money for a 30-year-old Watkins and £50m for 28-year-old Ezri Konsa “crazy,” but insists these are the right decisions for the club. Goretzka, a Champions League winner, brings a competitive spirit, and Emery hopes he’s on the field come Monday. It’s a new chapter, no doubt, and all eyes are on that Arsenal match to see how fast this new Villa squad can gel.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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