Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has indicated that striker Ollie Watkins may leave the club before the transfer window closes, after Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal lodged a bid for the England international. Though Emery stated his preference to keep the 30-year-old, who has been a prolific scorer since joining from Brentford in 2020, he acknowledged that a departure could occur if it proves beneficial to the player, club, and team.

Watkins would represent the latest departure from Villa's successful Europa League squad, following the departures of defenders Ezri Konsa to Arsenal and Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a record £117 million transfer fee, along with departures of midfielders Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne. The club simultaneously addressed its goalkeeping position after an attempted move by Emi Martinez to Juventus stalled over fee negotiations, recruiting Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma as his replacement.