Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery did not deny that Ollie Watkins refused to play in the team's 4-0 defeat by Brighton at the Amex on Sunday. Emery faced a selection crisis up front due to injuries to Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham, yet Watkins was omitted from the matchday squad as the England striker considers a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Selection crisis and early collapse
With no senior striker available, Emery deployed attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendía as an emergency forward. The decision backfired as Villa fell 4-0 behind within 31 minutes. The situation worsened in the 40th minute when new signing João Gomes was sent off on his debut after kicking out at Brighton striker Georginio Rutter following a dispossession.
Al-Hilal have made multiple bids for Watkins, all rejected by Villa. The 30-year-old is reportedly open to the move, and Emery's comments on Friday suggested he was realistic about a potential sale. Villa are expected to seek a replacement if Watkins departs, as they approach the end of a difficult summer transfer window. The club has already sold Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, and Youri Tielemans, with Emiliano Martínez also expected to leave.
Emery's silence and response
When asked why Watkins was not selected, Emery said: "This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence." Pressed on whether Watkins had refused to play, Emery replied: "I think you can call him and you can call his agent and he can respond." The Guardian has contacted Watkins's agent for comment.
Emery added: "He [Watkins] can only explain his answer, I can't," when asked if he felt let down by the striker. The head coach also provided injury updates, stating Madjo would be out for "two weeks more ... more or less," while attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi, the club's marquee summer signing, would "need maybe some days more [than that]." He was unclear on a return timeframe for Abraham.
Looking ahead after heavy defeat
Despite the heavy loss, Emery praised his players' resistance in the second half and expressed optimism about finding solutions for the season. He reflected on the challenging build-up: "Two strikers are injured and another striker gives his answer."
Emery concluded: "This problem [with the transfer market] ... we had every season and every season we overcame it. It's something we have to accept and always we reacted, especially the players. This is something hard for us every year but we are calm. With this result, it's more difficult to explain but calm, work, be positive and find solutions for the next week and after the transfer window."
