via Reuters
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has handed supporters a clue over the future of striker Ollie Watkins after the player was left out of the matchday squad to face Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
The Villans kickstart their Premier League campaign with a visit to the Amex Stadium but have made the trip to the south coast without England international Watkins as transfer speculation continues.
The 30-year-old was not included in the squad for the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month and may have played his last game for the Midlands outfit.
Aston Villa frontline has a strange look to it
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Emery has been forced to name midfielder Emi Buendia as his striker to face Brighton, with Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo both on the treatment table.
Watkins' exclusion comes amid reports that the player is pushing for a move to the Saudi Pro League. Aston Villa recently rejected a £38.5million bid and a subsequent £45million offer from Al Hilal.
The striker has turned down the chance to renew his contract at Villa Park and is now in the final two years of his deal. Emery admitted that the talisman's future is an 'issue' as the Premier League season begins, but insisted he remains a Villa player. Aston Villa do not want to sell Watkins unless a replacement can be signed before the transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
Emery has endeavoured to convince Watkins to stay at Aston Villa this season. Speaking in his pre-match press conference last week, the Aston Villa manager said: "We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him.
"I don't want to sell him but it can change because if it's a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving. With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him.
Aston Villa have been credited with interest in Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who is not expected to be a part of Xabi Alonso's plans at Stamford Bridge this season. The forward spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Jackson has been training with the 'bomb squad', away from the first team and alongside Liam Delap, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk, who are all also expected to leave the London outfit this summer.