Watkins says sorry to Villa team before leaving

Ollie Watkins said sorry to his Aston Villa teammates after he missed the club’s Premier League match against Brighton. Manager Unai Emery shared this news.

The 30-year-old striker is about to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for £51m. This ends his five years at Villa.

Emery mentioned that Watkins recognized his mistake after the Brighton match. He said both Watkins and the team accepted his apology.

As BBC Sport reported on Friday, Emery said, “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.”

Watkins leaves Villa as the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League. He scored 91 league goals and 108 in all competitions since coming from Brentford for £28m in 2020.

Emery paid a heartfelt tribute to Watkins. He praised his behavior during his time at the club.

“His commitment and his behaviour was fantastic. He’s a fantastic guy, a fantastic guy even more than a player,” he said.

“I told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and with small tears.”

Villa has agreed to pay £65m for Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea to replace Watkins. They are working to register the Senegal striker in time for Monday’s match against Arsenal.

Emery said Jackson’s arrival marks a new beginning for Villa.

“But now it’s a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson,” he said.

Watkins is not the only experienced player leaving Villa this summer. But Emery defended the club’s transfer plan and said the sales were for the club’s good.

“We took decisions because it’s good for the club,” Emery said.

“Of course, we don’t want to be a club that sells players, but the responsibility is there.”

Villa has also strengthened their midfield by bringing in Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich on a free transfer. The German midfielder comes with seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy.

“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.