Watkins apologised to Villa squad before exit

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins apologized to his teammates after opting out of the club's Premier League match against Brighton, according to manager Unai Emery. The 30-year-old English forward is expected to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for a fee of £51 million, concluding his five-year tenure at Villa Park. Emery revealed that Watkins confessed to his mistake following the Brighton game, and both the manager and the squad accepted his apology.

The former Brentford player holds the record for the most Premier League goals at Villa, scoring 91 league goals and 108 in total since his £28 million transfer from Brentford in 2020. Emery paid tribute to Watkins, praising his commitment and behavior during his time at the club, and expressed his emotional farewell with a hug and tears.

To replace Watkins, Villa have agreed to a £65 million deal to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea, with the Senegal international set to join the club in time for their upcoming match against Arsenal. Emery believes the arrival of Jackson signifies a new chapter for Aston Villa, stating that the club's transfer strategy aimed to benefit the team.

The club has also strengthened their midfield by signing Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich on a free transfer, a player renowned for his winning mentality and competitive spirit.