Emery's telling 'silence' as Watkins omission edges him closer to Al-Hilal exit

Ollie Watkins appears increasingly likely to leave Aston Villa for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal after being omitted from the club’s squad for their Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. When asked directly whether the 30-year-old’s absence meant he had played his final game for Villa, manager Unai Emery offered a single word in response: “Silence.”

Emery had earlier struck a more conflicted tone in his pre-match press conference. “We have an issue with him, it’s clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him,” the Spaniard said. “I don’t want to sell him but it can change because if it’s a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have.”

With the transfer window closing in approximately ten days, Emery acknowledged the situation remained fluid. “With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him. If he is staying with us he will continue playing his level,” he added. Midfielder Emi Buendia was named to lead the line in Watkins’ absence.

Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in 2020 and has made 278 appearances for the club, scoring 108 goals. His contributions were central to Villa’s Europa League triumph last summer and helped secure three successive seasons of European football. He also established himself as a full England international during his time at Villa Park, earning 24 caps and scoring seven times.

Should the move to Al-Hilal be completed, Watkins — who has two years remaining on his contract — would be the latest in a significant wave of departures from Villa this summer. Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea in a big-money deal, while Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa moved to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, and Lucas Digne rejoined Paris Saint-Germain.

Villa have moved to address the exodus with a series of incoming transfers. Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes arrived in high-profile deals, Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Suzuki completed a double signing earlier this week, and Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have joined on loan from Chelsea and West Ham.