Unai Emery's Farewell to Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa Prepares for Change
Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins apologised to his Aston Villa teammates for refusing to play on Sunday, as the manager delivered a heartfelt farewell to the club’s departing record scorer.
Watkins, 30, is due in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, drawing a line under a prolific four-year spell at Villa Park. Villa, in turn, are closing in on Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in a £65m deal as his direct replacement.
Emery’s emotional goodbye
Watkins did not make himself available for selection against Brighton, a decision that cut across the grain of his usually exemplary standards. Emery made it clear the striker fronted up quickly.
“He told us after the Brighton match he was sorry and that he had made a mistake. He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well,” Emery said.
There was no public dressing down, no lingering resentment. Instead, there was a long embrace.
“His commitment and his behaviour was fantastic. He's a fantastic guy – a fantastic guy even more than a player. I told him 'bye' with a huge hug and with small tears.”
Watkins leaves as Villa’s all-time leading Premier League scorer, with 91 league goals and 108 in all competitions since his £28m arrival from Brentford in 2020. His departure closes a chapter that helped drag Villa from mid-table uncertainty into the Champions League conversation.
Now Emery turns to the next act.
“But now it's a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson,” he said.
Jackson in, Watkins out
Villa have agreed a deal with Chelsea for Jackson and are racing to get the Senegal international registered in time for Monday night’s home clash with Arsenal.
The 23-year-old will be asked to step straight into the void left by Watkins, both in goals and in personality, in a squad already losing several senior figures after a successful 2025-26 campaign.
Watkins is not the only big name to move on. Experience is draining from the dressing room, and Emery knows the optics: fans see stars leaving just as the club has re-established itself among the Premier League’s elite.
“Crazy” money and a hard reset
Emery, though, was blunt about the financial reality and the opportunity it presents.
“We took decisions because it's good for the club,” he said. “Of course, we don't want to be a club that sells players, but the responsibility is there. It's crazy [money for someone] 30 years old and £50m for Ezri Konsa [who is 28].”
Villa’s head coach pointed to the club’s recent track record of improving players and then cashing in at peak value.
“How we developed in the last year with some players and how we can sell some players now is completely the right decision.
“We have to rebuild the team as fast as possible. [Fans] have to accept our way and why we are taking some decisions.”
Goretzka brings a winner’s edge
Part of that rebuild arrived on Thursday. Leon Goretzka completed his free transfer to Villa after leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The Germany international brings serious pedigree: seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League crown from his time in Bavaria.
“He is a winner. He is a very competitive player – a good player to add into our squad,” Emery said. “He is versatile and arrives fit and training well. Hopefully on Monday he can be on the field.”
A record scorer gone, a new striker incoming, a serial winner dropped into midfield. Villa’s evolution under Emery is accelerating again. The question now is not whether the squad will look different – it already does – but how quickly this rebuilt side can hit the level the old one just left behind.
