Ollie Watkins, 30, was left out of Villa’s squad for their 4-0 defeat by Brighton on Sunday. Fans have turned on him after manager Unai Emery hinted he refused to play to force a £34m move to Al-Hilal.
Emery’s Silence
During the post-match press conference, Emery replied to questions about Watkins’ absence with a curt statement: “I can answer only with my silence.” When asked whether the striker was refusing to play, Emery said, “I think you can call him, you can call his agent and he can respond. He can only explain his answer, I can’t.” The club confirmed that Watkins is neither ill nor injured, though he reportedly did not train fully last week.
Fan Fury
The reaction on social media was swift and harsh. A fan commented on Watkins’ Instagram post of his wife Ellie: “Ellie please don’t let Ollie leave please.” Another wrote, “Tell Ollie to not leave,” while a third added, “The kids are better in England. Please don’t go.” In response to a photo of the pair on a holiday in the Bahamas, supporters posted multiple snake emojis and one user wrote, “Congrats on selling your soul Ollie.” A further comment read, “Respect totally gone.” The most common refrain was the question, “Saudi? Why bro?”
Transfer Speculation
Villa have rejected four offers from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for Watkins, the latest reportedly around £34 million. The Premier League side will not sell at that price. The club’s transfer activity this summer has seen about £250 million worth of talent leave, including Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa. Watkins and Emi Martinez, who was also absent on Sunday, could follow.
Context of the Season
The 4-0 loss to Brighton was one of Villa’s worst performances under Emery, a new-look side that was torn apart by the Seagulls. Joao Gomes was sent off on his Premier League debut, and Brighton took a 4-0 lead in just over half an hour. The defeat highlighted the challenges Villa face when the transfer window is open, a problem the club has struggled with for the past three years. Emery has joked that the window should always be closed, noting the need for players to remain patient even when results are poor.
The situation remains fluid, with fans continuing to voice their concerns on social media and the club maintaining its stance on the transfer offers. The next few weeks will be crucial for both Watkins and Villa as they navigate the fallout from this controversy.
