Aston Villa boss Unai Emery opens up on emotional Ollie Watkins farewell

Unai Emery has opened up on his tearful farewell with Ollie Watkins after saluting the striker’s “fantastic” service to Villa.

Watkins is on the verge of joining Al-Hilal for a fee of more than £50million, bringing an end to a hugely successful six-year stay at Villa Park.

The 30-year-old, who leaves as the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer, provoked the wrath of supporters when he declined to play in last Sunday’s season opener at Brighton, as he looked to push through the move.

Emery, who was left without a striker for the 4-0 defeat, admitted to being left “disappointed” with that decision but believes Watkins - who later apologised to the manager and team-mates - should not see his legacy tarnished for one mistake.

He said: "I can tell you now Watkins, his commitment and his behaviour was fantastic.

"We didn't get a deal to finish his last match playing at Brighton, but he told us after the match he was sorry, and he told us as well he made a mistake.

"He was wrong, but we accepted it. The players as well because he always had very good behaviour and commitment with the club, with us, and with me.

"And for me, it's a fantastic guy, a fantastic guy even more than a player. And I told him bye with a huge hug and with small tears.”

Watkins, who joined Villa from Brentford for £33m, scored 108 goals in total across his six seasons at the club, becoming the first player to reach a century since Peter McParland in the 1960s.

While Emery had wanted him to stay, he believes the deal and “crazy” fee was ultimately too good for the club to turn down.

Nicolas Jackson has been signed from Chelsea as Watkins’ direct replacement for an initial £47.5m, while the club are also pushing to complete a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye.

Jackson could make his debut in Monday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Emery said: “Now it’s a new chapter here with Nicolas Jackson.

“Watkins had fantastic years scoring goals, behaviour, commitment, always ready to play, even being injured.

“The four years working with him have been a high-level relationship with him as a professional.

“Last week I was a little bit disappointed. I was disappointed, but we spoke about it, and now we are clear.

“He is a fantastic player and guy and one mistake is not closing all the good things he did here. For the supporters as well. He is class, and I think it's a legacy here.”

The boss continued: “We don’t want to be a club to sell players but the responsibility is there.

“Our responsibility because the players were demanding and for the club it’s a good deal. It’s not changing our objective to be in the top position.”