Ollie Watkins has told Unai Emery that he wants to stay at the club ahead of Aston Villa’s visit to Wolves, the Spaniard confirmed during his pre-match press conference on Friday
Despite securing a top eight finish and automatic progression to the round-of-16 in the Champions League with a 4-2 victory over Celtic, the past week can only be described as unsettling for Villa. On the same day as that Champions League clash, not only did news break that Watkins had been subject of a bid from Arsenal, but fellow striker Jhon Durán agreed a deal to join Al Nassr.
The prospect of losing both Watkins and Durán in the same window was always unlikely, however with Durán’s move to Saudi Arabia now confirmed, Emery will be delighted to bring some stability to the squad with clarification on Watkins’ future.
Emery addressed the media before Saturday’s game versus Wolves to put any speculation over the England international’s commitment to bed: “We asked him how he is feeling being with Villa and he is happy here. He appreciates Aston Villa have always tried to support him, helped him and tried to get the best of him. Now we need him – like he needed Aston Villa.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThis type of commitment will go a long way with the Villa fans, especially following an already busy January transfer window. Having seen centre-back Diego Carlos depart for Fenerbahçe and Emi Buendia join Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the rest of the season, the last thing Villa needed was for Watkins to attempt to force through a move to North London.
Emery admitted that the movement during the transfer window is having an impact on performances: “Of course we are changing the squad because we need to improve at everything – individually and collectively.”
“We will miss some players in the squad because we did not change Diego Carlos or [Emi] Buendia. We have the last player leaving […] but it’s Jhon Durán. The players we have are trying and showing their commitment.”
Finding the consistency of last season was always going to be a tough ask for Villa, as the physical and mental demands of playing such high-intensity games every three days looks to be taking their toll. The 53-year-old coach confirmed that Matty Cash will miss the trip to Molineux, ruling the right-back out for “three to four weeks”. Tyrone Mings also suffered a “small injury” and “will need some days more to be ready to play again.”
Despite Emery’s side sitting eighth in the Premier League ahead of gameweek 24, they are only four points behind Manchester City in fourth. Without the distraction of the play-off games in the Champions League or any uncertainty surrounding star man Watkins, they will be hoping this can be used as the catalyst to end the season with a flourish.