Unai Emery addresses Watkins' absence during Villa's defeat to Brighton

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England forward is considering move to Al Hilal ‘This question is for him … I answer only with silence’ Unai Emery did nothing to deny that Ollie Watkins had refused to play for Aston Villa in their sobering 4-0 defeat by Brighton at the Amex on Sunday. The head coach had a selection crisis up front with Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham injured. However, he did not include Watkins in the matchday squad as the England striker considers a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Emery was forced to rely on the attacking midfielder, Emiliano Buendía, as an emergency No 9 and his team disappeared without trace on the south coast. They were 4-0 down after 31 minutes and had their new signing, João Gomes, sent off on his debut in the 40th minute. Gomes kicked up and out at the Brighton striker Georginio Rutter after being dispossessed by him. Continue reading...

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says forward Ollie Watkins' absence in the 4-0 thrashing at Brighton is a "question for him". The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for Villa's Premier League opener after Emery confirmed earlier in the week there had been offers from Saudi club Al-Hilal for the striker.

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Having been absent from Aston Villa's 4-0 season opening loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, Ollie Watkins' position was clarified by Villa boss Unai Emery post-game