Departing Watkins apologised for refusing to play - Emery

Football reporter Published 1 hour ago 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 .