Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has refused to explain Ollie Watkins’ absence from the squad during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat by Brighton, amid reported interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Watkins, 30, has been linked with a move away from Villa this summer, with the club understood to have rejected four bids for the England striker.
Emery leaves Watkins to explain absence
Asked why Watkins was missing from the squad, Emery repeatedly declined to provide an explanation and appeared to suggest that the striker himself should address the situation.
“This question is for him. I can’t answer. I can answer only with my silence,” Emery said.
When asked whether Watkins had refused to play, the Villa manager replied: “I think you can call him. You can call his agent and he can respond.”
Emery had also responded with “silence” when asked before kick-off whether Watkins had played his final game for the club.
The striker’s absence left Villa without a recognised centre-forward, with Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo also unavailable through injury.
Villa suffer heavy defeat at Brighton
Watkins’ absence was compounded by a disastrous start as Brighton scored four times in the opening 25 minutes to take complete control of the match.
Jack Hinshelwood and Maxim De Cuyper were among the scorers as Villa struggled to contain their hosts.
Emery admitted his team lost control of the contest after making a series of mistakes.
“We made mistakes and they scored their goals,” he said. “In 20, 25 minutes we lost everything and it was a strange, strange moment.”
“Conceding four goals is not normal in my four years working here. As well, the red card. Emotionally, we lost it a little bit.”
Villa are also dealing with further uncertainty over Emiliano Martinez, who was left out of the squad as he edges closer to a potential departure.
Emery has already lost Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans this summer, while new signing Joao Gomes will miss next Monday’s meeting with Arsenal after being sent off against Brighton.