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Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa despite Arsenal interest
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa, ruling out a potential departure this window.
Watkins had been the subject of interest from Arsenal on Monday, which was swiftly rebuffed by Villa. News of Arsenal’s overtures were leaked two days later, which angered Villa’s senior staff, given it was just hours before the key Champions League fixture against Celtic.
Jhon Duran’s impending move to Al Nassr is expected to be completed on Friday, leaving Watkins as the club’s sole traditional striker. He is Villa’s top scorer in the league and Emery, speaking ahead of the trip to Molineux on Saturday, is “happy to stay” at the club this window.
“The commitment of Watkins with us is a huge commitment to defend Aston Villa,” said Emery. “He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa was always supporting him, helping him. When we joined here two years ago, how we worked with him — we are always trying to get the best of him. Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa in the last years. The conversations we are having with him, he’s always adapting to every circumstance we have.
“Of course when some teams call us being interested in the players, it’s very good for us. Some players prefer to leave. Some players accept to be here and commit to us here and one of them is Ollie Watkins.”
Watkins has scored 11 goals and has registered nine assists across 32 appearances this season. When asked whether he could completely guarantee the 29-year-old remaining a Villa player, Emery said that was the case.
“He’s happy to stay. You can ask him but we asked him how he’s feeling every day and every year with Aston Villa and he’s happy here.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, was asked about his club’s potential deal for Watkins at a news conference earlier on Friday and said: “Not gonna talk about it. We are proactively looking.”
GO DEEPER
Uncertainty gripped the futures of Duran and Watkins – Rogers stepped forward
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa despite Arsenal interest
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has revealed that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is content at his current club and has no intention of leaving, despite interest from the Gunners.
Emery, who now manages Spanish side Villarreal, spoke highly of Watkins and praised his performances for Villa this season. The 25-year-old has been in fine form, scoring 12 goals in 22 Premier League appearances so far.
Speaking to reporters, Emery said, “Ollie Watkins is a fantastic player and he is happy at Aston Villa. I don’t see him leaving anytime soon. He is a key player for them and I believe he is focused on helping the team achieve their goals this season.”
Arsenal were reportedly interested in signing Watkins last summer before he joined Villa from Brentford for a club-record fee. However, it seems that the striker is committed to his current club and is not looking for a move away anytime soon.
Villa fans will be delighted to hear that Watkins is happy at the club, as he has been a crucial part of their success this season. With Emery’s comments putting an end to any transfer speculation, Villa can now focus on their push for European qualification in the Premier League.
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