Ollie Watkins Apologizes to Teammates After Brighton Match

Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins apologised to his Aston Villa teammates for refusing to play on Sunday, as the manager delivered a heartfelt farewell to the club’s departing record scorer.

Watkins made himself unavailable for the match against Brighton, a decision that jarred with the professionalism he has largely shown since arriving from Brentford in 2020. Emery admitted the striker had crossed a line – but said the dressing room chose forgiveness.

“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 camp.

The 30-year-old is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, ending a four-year spell in which he became Villa’s most prolific Premier League marksman. Watkins scored 91 league goals for the club, 108 in all competitions, repaying many times over the £28m Villa paid Brentford.

For Emery, the departure is more than a line on a balance sheet. It is the end of a relationship.

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

Villa, though, are not standing still. Even as Watkins prepares to swap Birmingham for Riyadh, the club are moving to close a £65m deal for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who is set to step straight into the vacancy up front.

One era ends with a hug and an apology. The next begins with Jackson walking into a dressing room that has just said goodbye to its greatest Premier League goalscorer.