Unai Emery revealed he was moved to tears after receiving an apology from Ollie Watkins concerning the Aston Villa striker’s impending transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Watkins is on the verge of joining Al Hilal for £50 million, with Emery’s team set to bring in Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea as his replacement.
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The England international missed Aston Villa’s 4-0 loss to Brighton in the opening match of the Premier League season.
Emery expressed his frustration at Watkins’ absence on Sunday, stating he could “only respond with silence,” but shared that a heartfelt goodbye took place earlier this week.
“I can tell you now that Watkins’ dedication and conduct were always exemplary,” Emery remarked on Friday.
“Last week, we failed to finalize a deal before the Brighton match, but he expressed his remorse after the game, admitting he made a mistake.
“We accepted his apology, and the team supported him as he consistently displayed good behavior toward me. For me, he’s a fantastic individual, even beyond his abilities as a player.
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“I bid him farewell with a big hug and a few tears. Nonetheless, I wish him all the best in Saudi Arabia, as we welcome Nicolas Jackson in his place.”
Emery mentioned that Jackson might make his debut against Premier League champions Arsenal on Monday night.
This follows a significant turnover at Villa, with six players from the squad that won the Europa League final last season—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)
Despite the roster changes, Emery remains optimistic about Villa’s competitiveness this season.
“We made decisions that are in the club’s best interest. Our goal is to compete as effectively as we can, while acknowledging certain realities,” he stated.
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“This was the right choice for the club, and while we don’t aim to sell players, we have to recognize our responsibilities. It’s a beneficial deal for the organization.
“Our ambition to be competitive remains unchanged. We are committed to developing our players.
“I am hopeful and positive about our new signings; they are quality players. We need to find balance between experience and youthful talent.
“Naturally, I want to retain some key players who contribute to our success. I have faced similar situations before and have learned to accept them.
“I look forward to pursuing our objectives in unique and innovative ways. Our focus will be on continued progression, but we recognize that it will take time.”