AdminTim Sherwood has criticised Unai Emery for “digging Ollie Watkins out” following Aston Villa’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Emery refused to confirm whether Watkins had declined to play against Brighton amid growing interest from Al-Hilal. However, the Villa boss told reporters to ask the striker’s agent why he was unavailable for selection.
Al-Hilal have already seen four bids for Watkins rejected by Villa but remain determined to sign the England international, who is understood to be interested in a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Watkins could become the latest major departure from Villa Park after Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez could also leave in the coming days.
Former Villa manager Sherwood has now given his assessment of the situation on Sky Sports, questioning whether Watkins can be blamed for considering an exit.
He said: “Aston Villa fans will look at it and think, ‘All of these players have walked out the door, we’ve won the trophy and done fantastically to get in the Champions League, but all of a sudden these players want to leave’.
“Do you blame Ollie Watkins for wanting to go as well? Who will be next? They will be in the dressing room thinking, ‘I can stand with you last season’, but now, all of a sudden, all of your pals are going out of the door. It looks like other clubs are on the up, and if you have an opportunity to leave…
“I’m not Ollie Watkins, but I know what I would do. I would want to stay at Aston Villa, but I wouldn’t stay at Aston Villa if all of my mates are going out of the door and it looked like we would end up finishing in mid-table at best, because that’s how it looks at the moment.
“I don’t agree with the manager digging Ollie Watkins out, because you have to put yourself in that position…
how much longer will he take it? Unai has to also look in the dressing room and think, how much longer will Ollie take it, or any other players?”
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