Unai Emery confirms Ollie Watkins' tearful farewell from Aston Villa
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 5:51 PM
Last updated Aug 30, 2026
Ollie Watkins is set to leave Aston Villa for Al Hilal in a £50m transfer. Manager Unai Emery revealed that he and Watkins shared an emotional goodbye, including a hug and tears, after the striker apologized for missing the season opener against Brighton. Emery acknowledged Watkins' past contributions and expressed optimism about the team's future despite the departures of key players. Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea is expected to replace Watkins and could debut against Arsenal on Monday night.
- •Ollie Watkins joins Al Hilal in a £50m deal.
- •Watkins missed the 4-0 loss to Brighton due to prior commitments.
- •Unai Emery expressed hope for the team's competitiveness this season.
- •Nicolas Jackson is set to replace Watkins in the squad.
- •Emery has lost six players from last season's Europa League win.
- 5:51 PMYahoo Sports — 'Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa' - Watkins
- 3:07 PMYahoo Sports — Emery bids goodbye to Watkins 'with small tears'
- 1:56 PMYahoo Sports — Unai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins apology – but confirms tearful Aston Villa departure
"Manager Unai Emery said Ollie Watkins apologised for refusing to play for Aston Villa on Sunday as he paid an emotional tribute to the departing striker. The 30-year-old is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, with Villa poised to finalise the signing of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson for £65m as his replacement. Emery praised the England forward's behaviour during his Villa career and said he and the squad had accepted Watkins' apology for making himself unavailable against Brighton.
"Ollie Watkins says "Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa" in a farewell video posted on social media. The 30-year-old striker, who is Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, has completed a £51m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The England international made himself unavailable for Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend, which Emery said Watkins apologised for.
"Emery said he and Watkins had a ‘big hug’ and a ‘small cry’ as the striker prepares to move to Saudi Arabia
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 5:51 PM'Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa' - Watkins
Ollie Watkins says "Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa" in a farewell video posted on social media. The 30-year-old striker, who is Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, has completed a £51m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The England international made himself unavailable for Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend, which Emery said Watkins apologised for.
- Yahoo SportsAug 28, 2026, 3:07 PMEmery bids goodbye to Watkins 'with small tears'
Manager Unai Emery said Ollie Watkins apologised for refusing to play for Aston Villa on Sunday as he paid an emotional tribute to the departing striker. The 30-year-old is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51m move to Al-Hilal, with Villa poised to finalise the signing of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson for £65m as his replacement. Emery praised the England forward's behaviour during his Villa career and said he and the squad had accepted Watkins' apology for making himself unavailable against Brighton.
- Yahoo SportsAug 28, 2026, 1:56 PMUnai Emery reveals Ollie Watkins apology – but confirms tearful Aston Villa departure
Emery said he and Watkins had a ‘big hug’ and a ‘small cry’ as the striker prepares to move to Saudi Arabia
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