Ollie Watkins, England striker, was omitted from Villa’s squad after a 4-0 defeat to Brighton, even though the club’s other forwards, Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham, were injured. He is not reported to be ill or injured, but reportedly did not train fully last week. Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, said the question belongs to the player and that he can only answer with silence, noting that the club could contact the player’s agent.
Regarding a move, Villa has rejected four offers from Saudi club Al-Hilal, the latest reportedly around £34 million - a price Villa will not accept. The club has sold about £250 million of talent this summer, including Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa, with Watkins and Emi Martinez potentially following.
In the match Villa lost 4-0, with Joao Gomes sent off on his Premier League debut. Victor Lindelof scored an own goal, Maxim De Cuyper added a tap-in, and Jack Hinshelwood netted a rapid double. Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said the red card and individual performances were key to the result, noting Yankuba Minteh’s ankle injury and the importance of not relying on a single player.
These events highlight the tension between the player’s desire to stay at Villa and the pressure from Saudi clubs, with Emery pointing out that transfer windows remain a perennial challenge for the manager.
