Ollie Watkins Apologizes to Aston Villa After Departure to Al-Hilal
Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins apologised to his Aston Villa team-mates after refusing to play on Sunday, as the manager delivered a heartfelt farewell to the club’s departing record scorer.
Watkins is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, drawing a line under a four-year spell in which he became Villa’s most prolific Premier League marksman. At the same time, Villa are closing in on a £65m deal for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who has been lined up as his replacement.
Emery: “He was wrong, but we accepted it”
The parting wasn’t entirely smooth. Watkins made himself unavailable for the game against Brighton, a decision Emery said the striker has since regretted.
“He told us after the Brighton match he was sorry and that he had made a mistake. He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well,” Emery said.
The contrition landed in a dressing room where Watkins’ standing is undeniable. Signed from Brentford for £28m in 2020, the England international scored 91 Premier League goals for Villa and 108 in all competitions, numbers that have etched his name into the club’s modern history.
“His commitment and his behaviour was fantastic. He's a fantastic guy – a fantastic guy even more than a player,” Emery added. “I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and with small tears.”
Then came the pivot.
“But now it's a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson.”
Jackson in, Watkins out
Villa have agreed a deal for Jackson and are racing to have the Senegal striker registered in time for Monday’s home clash with Arsenal. The 23-year-old arrives with the expectation of stepping straight into the void left by Watkins, both in goals and in presence.
Watkins’ exit continues a summer of change at Villa Park, where several experienced figures from last season’s successful 2025-26 campaign have moved on. Emery knows the departures sting, but he framed them as part of a deliberate, if ruthless, strategy.
“We took decisions because it's good for the club,” he said. “Of course, we don't want to be a club that sells players, but the responsibility is there. It's crazy [money for someone] 30 years old and £50m for Ezri Konsa [who is 28].”
For Emery, the market has simply validated the club’s work.
“How we developed in the last year with some players and how we can sell some players now is completely the right decision,” he argued. “We have to rebuild the team as fast as possible. [Fans] have to accept our way and why we are taking some decisions.”
Goretzka brings a winner’s edge
That rebuild took another significant step on Thursday with the arrival of Leon Goretzka on a free transfer after his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The midfielder brings a heavyweight CV: seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League crown from his time in Germany. Emery made it clear he sees Goretzka as more than just a big name.
“He is a winner. He is a very competitive player – a good player to add into our squad,” said the Villa manager. “He is versatile and arrives fit and training well. Hopefully on Monday he can be on the field.”
Villa now stand at a crossroads: their record scorer gone, a new No 9 incoming, a serial winner dropped into midfield, and Arsenal looming on Monday night. The emotion of Watkins’ farewell has already been filed away. What matters now is whether this bold, expensive reset can keep Villa moving forward.
