Unai Emery feels Ollie Watkins should explain absence from Aston Villa's loss

Aston Villa's 4-0 defeat by Brighton on Sunday has left the team reeling, and head coach Unai Emery is feeling the heat. The head coach has called for an explanation from Ollie Watkins, who was absent from the team's matchday squad.

Watkins, who is reportedly considering a move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, was not included in the squad due to a selection crisis up front. However, Emery's decision to leave Watkins out has sparked controversy, with the head coach feeling that the player should explain his absence.

What happened?

The match against Brighton was a sobering experience for Aston Villa, who were 4-0 down after just 31 minutes. The team's new signing, João Gomes, was sent off on his debut in the 40th minute after kicking up and out at the Brighton striker Georginio Rutter.

Why it matters for Aston Villa

The loss has left Aston Villa struggling to find their footing in the new season. With a difficult summer window behind them, the team is facing a tough task in replacing key players who have left the club.

What comes next?

Aston Villa will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Brighton, but the team's prospects are uncertain. With Watkins' future hanging in the balance, the team will need to find a way to move forward without their star player.

League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 4th in Premier League, 65 pts, 19W-8D-11L from 38 games, recent form WWDLL. Goals this season: 56 scored, 49 conceded (+7 goal difference). Title race: 20 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 4W-1D-0L (WWWWD, most recent first); on a 4-game winning run. Currently sidelined: Amadou Onana, Brian Madjo.

The head coach was asked why he had not picked Watkins against Brighton. "This question is for him," he said. "I can answer only with my silence." Emery was then asked if Watkins had refused to play, to which he said: "I think you can call him and you can call his agent and he can respond."

The Guardian have contacted Watkins's agent for comment. "He [Watkins] can only explain his answer, I can't," Emery added, after being asked if he felt let down by Watkins.

Emery reported that Madjo would be out for "two weeks more … more or less" while attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi – who has been the club's marquee summer signing – would "need maybe some days more [than that]". He was unclear about a timeframe for Abraham's return.

Emery talked up the resistance of his players in the second half against Brighton and said he was optimistic about finding solutions for the season ahead. But he returned to the difficult preparations for the opening fixture, noting that: "Two strikers are injured and another striker gives his answer."

The head coach added: "This problem [with the transfer market] … we had every season and every season we overcame it. It's something we have to accept and always we reacted, especially the players. This is something hard for us every year but we are calm. With this result, it's more difficult to explain but calm, work, be positive and find solutions for the next week and after the transfer window."

You can check on Aston Villa's upcoming fixtures on our fixtures page.