{
  "id": 2826557,
  "title": "EPL: What Unai Emery said about Watkins’ absence after Aston Villa’s defeat to Brighton",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/epl-what-unai-emery-said-about-watkins-absence-after-aston-villas",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-23T16:48:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/23/epl-what-unai-emery-said-about-watkins-absence-after-aston-villas-defeat-to-brighton/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aston Villa's manager, Unai Emery, provided a vague response when questioned about the absence of striker Ollie Watkins from the team's lineup for their recent Premier League loss to Brighton. Watkins did not accompany the team to the Amex Stadium as Brighton secured a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. The England international had only recently returned from a summer break following the World Cup. Additionally, Watkins is reportedly under consideration by Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, who have made at least one unsuccessful bid to sign him. During a post-match press conference, Emery was asked for the reason behind Watkins' non-inclusion in the Villa squad. Emery replied, \"This question is for him,\" and asked if he could contact Watkins directly. Emery was then told, \"Can you call him and ask him a question?\" Emery responded by saying, \"I can only answer it by silence.\"",
  "summary": "Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery, gave a cryptic response to questions about striker, Ollie Watkins’ absence from his team’s squad for their Premier League defeat to Brighton. Watkins didn’t travel to the Amex as Brighton thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 on Sunday. The England international only returned from his post-World Cup summer break a few days ago. […] EPL: What Unai Emery said about Watkins’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Brighton thrash 10-man Villa in opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/brighton-thrash-10-man-villa-in-opener",
        "published": "2026-08-23T15:18:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "EPL: Brighton thrash 10-man Villa 4-0 in season opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/epl-brighton-thrash-10-man-villa-4-0-in-season-opener",
        "published": "2026-08-23T16:12:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Hurzeler hails Brighton man’s ‘step forward’ after his side demolish Aston Villa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/hurzeler-hails-brighton-mans-step-forward-after-his-side-demolish",
        "published": "2026-08-23T18:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}