With just over a week remaining in the transfer window, it appears that more than half of the starting lineup that secured Aston Villa the Europa League title in May may have departed the club. This considerable turnover has raised questions among supporters about whether these changes represent more than just a typical squad rebuild and signal a new era.
Ollie Watkins’ exclusion from the squad against Brighton brought renewed attention to the ongoing summer upheaval at Villa. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was also absent, though it was confirmed that manager Unai Emery chose between Marco Bizot and Zion Suzuki for that match.
Villa faced challenges with injuries to Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham, making Watkins’ involvement on Sunday all the more crucial, even if only for a limited period. Watkins also had not played for several weeks following a break after the World Cup and likely needed game time to regain sharpness.
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Before the match, Emery avoided discussing Watkins’ absence but later hinted in the post-match press conference that the striker himself was reluctant to play at the Amex Stadium, suggesting that queries be directed to Watkins’ agent.
Watkins has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, drawn by a lucrative contract offer. However, Villa have insisted that no agreement is close at this stage. The situation has become complicated, especially considering Watkins' key role in the Europa League victory, where he cemented his status as a club hero.
Ezri Konsa, who also left this summer after seven years and a significant number of appearances - second only to Olof Mellberg among defenders in the Premier League era - similarly departed Villa lore. For Konsa, his exit before the season’s start may have been fortunate given Emery’s alternatives in defence.
A key factor in many departures appears to be players feeling their time at Villa has naturally concluded, with little left to achieve at the club. Both Konsa and Watkins were recruited by former manager Dean Smith and have become engrained in club history, alongside Martinez, who has also sought new challenges despite earlier indications he might stay.
The appeal of joining top clubs or securing substantial contracts has influenced decisions. Konsa’s move to the reigning Premier League champions reflects this, while Watkins’ potential switch is largely motivated by financial terms. Martinez expressed a willingness to drop from Champions League to Europa League football in pursuit of his next move, with Juventus considering him before opting for a loan deal for Guglielmo Vicario.
Other departures include Lucas Digne and Youri Tielemans, both of whom had release clauses and chose to move on after aiding Villa in breaking their trophy drought. Digne, who commuted from London for family reasons, took the opportunity to return to Paris and play for arguably the world’s best club, while Tielemans was drawn to Manchester United due to childhood admiration.
Villa could not prevent Digne and Tielemans’ exits, nor did they hold on to Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for a club-record £117 million for a British footballer. Rogers secured a larger contract at Stamford Bridge and was attracted by the club’s project, though some question how it compares to Villa’s recent successes, which include consistent top-four finishes under Emery.
The club’s financial constraints on transfers and wages may contribute to a perceived ceiling, prompting some players to reconsider their futures when key teammates depart amid incoming offers.
Villa’s upcoming fixtures and transfer dealings in the next week will be pivotal, particularly after a heavy 4-0 opening defeat to Brighton. Though the season is only beginning, the club has weathered similar challenges previously.
Ongoing negotiations over Martinez and Leon Bailey remain unresolved, and Watkins’ situation remains particularly intriguing. Should Watkins leave, Villa have potential replacements like Nicolas Jackson ready to step in; however, suitable bids have yet to be received from Al-Hilal.
Restoring supporters’ trust, especially after Watkins’ recent absence, is vital. It seems clear that Watkins hopes to finalise his move to the Middle East soon, likely favouring departure at this stage.
Villa have given much to Watkins, and under Emery’s guidance, he has reached new heights. Given the lack of other striker options last Sunday, expectations were high for Watkins to put the club first as a gesture of gratitude for all that Villa and Emery have done for him.