Emery refuses to explain Watkins absence v Brighton
23.08.26, 19:42 Updated 25.08.26, 12:25
Michael Plant
Unai Emery refused to be drawn on the exact nature of Ollie Watkins’ absence from Aston Villa’s defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The striker has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, but Villa have not yet accepted a bid. Reports have suggested the club do not want to part with their record Premier League scorer, but Emery admitted on Friday that he could still leave Villa before the transfer window shuts in nine days’ time.
He was not part of the Villa squad that travelled to the south coast on Sunday, and Emery said pre-match that he preferred to focus on the players who were involved at the Amex.
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Michael Plant Freelance reporter. Nearly a decade's experience in the media industry and a former Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool club correspondent. A Villa fan from birth, Michael was born in Birmingham but grew up in Belfast.