Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has offered an emotional farewell to Ollie Watkins, who is set to finalize a £51m transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal this Friday. The 30-year-old departs Villa Park as the club’s record Premier League goalscorer, having netted 91 times in the top flight and 108 goals across all competitions since his £28m arrival from Brentford in 2020.
The transition comes after a period of friction, as Emery confirmed that Watkins apologized for making himself unavailable for the recent match against Brighton. According to the manager, the striker admitted he had made a mistake, and both the coaching staff and the squad have accepted his apology. Reflecting on their time together, Emery praised the forward’s character, describing him as a fantastic individual whose commitment throughout his tenure was exemplary. The manager noted that their final goodbye involved a heartfelt embrace and a few tears.
As Watkins heads to the Middle East, Villa is moving quickly to secure a replacement, with the club poised to finalize the £65m signing of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. Emery hopes to have the Senegal international registered in time for Monday’s fixture against Arsenal. This move is part of a broader squad overhaul that has seen several experienced figures depart following the club’s successful 2025-26 campaign.
Emery urged supporters to remain patient with the club’s strategic direction, acknowledging the difficulty of losing key players while emphasizing the financial necessity of the decisions. He pointed to the significant transfer fees involved, including the £50m valuation for 28-year-old Ezri Konsa, as evidence of the market’s current reality. The manager insisted that these sales are essential for the club’s long-term health and that the team must rebuild as rapidly as possible to maintain their competitive edge.
Bolstering the midfield during this transition, Leon Goretzka officially joined Villa on a free transfer this Thursday following his departure from Bayern Munich. The veteran midfielder, who secured seven Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy during his time in Germany, is expected to bring a winning mentality to the squad. Emery described Goretzka as a versatile and highly competitive addition who has arrived in good physical condition, potentially clearing the way for his debut on Monday. The report also notes that he’s a fantastic guy – a fantastic guy even more than a player. The report also notes that i told him ‘bye’ with a huge hug and with small tears. The report also notes that but now it’s a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson.
