Ollie Watkins Apologizes to Aston Villa Teammates for Brighton Absence

Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins apologised to his Aston Villa teammates for refusing to play on Sunday – and admitted their farewell ended in “small tears” as the club’s record Premier League scorer prepares to leave.

Watkins made himself unavailable for the game against Brighton, a decision that jarred with the image of a forward who has been central to Villa’s rise under Emery. The Spaniard confirmed the 30-year-old frontman addressed the squad after the match.

“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, making it clear the issue has been put to bed inside the dressing room.

The contrition comes at the end of a prolific chapter. Signed from Brentford for £28m in 2020, Watkins has grown into Villa’s most reliable finisher of the Premier League era, scoring 91 league goals and 108 in all competitions. No one has hit more for the club since the division’s rebrand.

That output has earned him a lucrative move. Watkins is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m transfer to Al-Hilal, drawing a line under four seasons in claret and blue that turned him into a full England international and a fan favourite.

Emery lingered on the person as much as the player.

“His commitment and his behaviour was fantastic. He's a fantastic guy – a fantastic guy even more than a player,” he said. “I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and with small tears.”

The emotion is real, but Villa are not standing still. Even as Watkins packs his bags, the club are closing in on his replacement. Villa are poised to finalise a £65m deal for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a statement signing to lead the line in the post-Watkins era.

One talisman leaves, another is about to walk through the door. For Emery, the goodbye has already happened. The next chapter, with Jackson at its sharp end, starts now.