{
  "id": 3122479,
  "title": "Emery says Watkins should explain absence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/emery-says-watkins-should-explain-absence",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-24T22:00:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/08/1518199/emery-says-watkins-should-explain-absence"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, maintained that it was Ollie Watkins' duty to address his absence from the team's 4-0 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League. The English club started their 2026/27 campaign without a confirmed striker after reports suggested Watkins was seeking a move to Al Hilal. Multiple bids from the Saudi Pro League side for Watkins had reportedly been turned down by Villa. When asked about Watkins' omission, Emery stated he could not provide an answer, only through silence.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}