Headline: Unai Emery Reflects on Ollie Watkins’ Departure to Saudi Arabia
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expressed a mix of emotions following an apology from striker Ollie Watkins ahead of his transfer to Saudi Arabia. Watkins is poised to join Al Hilal in a £50 million deal, as Emery’s side prepares to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea to fill the gap left by Watkins.
Watkins, an England international, did not participate in Aston Villa’s recent 4-0 defeat to Brighton during the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Following the loss, Emery admitted he was frustrated with Watkins’ absence but revealed that both he and the team had an emotional farewell this past week.
Emery praised Watkins for his commitment and behavior throughout his time at the club. “I can tell you now Watkins’ commitment and behaviour was fantastic always,” he noted on Friday. He added that after the match against Brighton, Watkins expressed remorse, admitting he made a mistake by not being available.
“We accepted it and the players did as well because he always had very good behaviour with me. For me, he’s a fantastic guy, even more so than as a player,” said Emery.
As the manager bid farewell, he shared, “I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and a small cry. But all the best with him in Saudi and with Nicolas Jackson replacing him.” Emery mentioned that Jackson could debut against Premier League champions Arsenal on Monday night.
The departure of Watkins marks a significant shift for Aston Villa, as Emery faces the loss of six players who started in last season’s Europa League final victory. Along with Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne have also left the club.
Despite the challenges, Emery remains optimistic about Villa’s competitiveness this season. “We took some decisions because it’s good for the club. We tried to compete as good as possible, but some situations are clear,” he stated.
He underscored that selling players is not the club’s goal, but it is sometimes necessary for the betterment of the organization. “It’s a good deal for the club. It’s not changing our priorities to be competitive. We must be the same,” he asserted, expressing confidence in the new signings and the team’s future.
Unai Emery admitted he shed a tear as he received an apology from Ollie Watkins ahead of the Aston Villa striker’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Watkins is set to join Al Hilal in a £50m deal, with Emery’s side agreeing to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea as his replacement.
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The England international missed Aston Villa’s 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Emery was left seething by Watkins’ absence on Sunday and said he could “only answer by silence”, but revealed there had been an emotional farewell this week.
“I can tell you now Watkins’ commitment and behaviour was fantastic always,” Emery said on Friday.
“Last week, we didn’t get a deal to finish playing the match against Brighton but he told us after the match that he was sorry and he told us he made a mistake and was wrong.
“We accepted it and the players did as well because he always had very good behaviour with me. For me, he’s a fantastic guy, even more so than as a player.
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“I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and a small cry. But all the best with him in Saudi and with Nicolas Jackson replacing him.”
Emery said Jackson could be available to make his debut against Premier League champions Arsenal on Monday night.
Emery has lost six players who started Villa’s Europa League final victory last season, with Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne all departing.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Ollie Watkins during a training session (PA Wire)
Emery, however, said he was positive that Villa could still be competitive this season.
“We took some decisions because it’s good for the club. We tried to compete as good as possible, but some situations are clear.
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“It’s the right way and decision. We don’t want to be a club to sell players, but our responsibility is there. For the club it’s a good deal.
“It’s not changing our priorities to be competitive. We must be the same. Strong development with the players.
“I am confident and positive. The players we are signing are good players. We need to get balance with experience and players with huge potential.
“Of course I want to keep some players, the ones who help us to be successful. But I accept it because I have experience before in the same situation.
“I expect to continue to do special and different ways. The objective is to get progressively in the same way. We will need time.”
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