Ollie Watkins out of Aston Villa squad as he pushes for Al Hilal transfer

Ollie Watkins has been left out of the Aston Villa squad amid Al Hilal transfer interest.

The 30-year-old is pushing for a move to the Saudi Pro League club before the transfer window closes.

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talkSPORT understands he has told Villa he wants to leave.

Al Hilal have seen four transfer bids rejected for Watkins, the most recent around £45m.

As a result, the England striker was not included in Villa’s squad to face Brighton in their Premier League opener.

Emi Buendia was expected to line-up as a false nine for the game.

Villa have set their sights on Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as a replacement for Watkins.

The Blues have set an asking price of around £65m.

What has Unai Emery said?

“We have an issue with him, it’s clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him,” said Emery.

“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.

“Now he is our player, there are 10 days more or less to finish the transfer window, we will see what happens, I’m happy with him, if he is staying with us he will continue playing his level.

“If he leaving it’s because it is good for three ways, one is him, another is the club and another is the team.”

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Brighton vs Aston Villa

Emi Martinez was also a notable absentee from Villa’s matchday squad to face Brighton.

Martinez has also been heavily linked with a departure from Villa Park, as he was last summer.

He was on the verge of joining Juventus before a move collapsed as the clubs failed to agree a fee.

Villa have already seemingly planned for the Argentina star’s exit.

Japan international Zion Suzuki joined from Palma for £30m.

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On the situation concerning Martinez, Emery added: “We have two excellent goalkeepers, of course we signed Suzuki not for the future but for now. He showed his capacity to get his performance to our level. He will need to adapt to us but he is playing at this level.

“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career.

“Even last year, he was thinking in case he can have one possibility to change for his challenges.

“He didn’t do it last year and he performed fantastic with us. This year, again, he transmitted us the possibility to have another challenge and we decided to sign Suzuki because I think he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.”